By Haddy Touray
A new report on the state of human rights in The Gambia says the country has made notable democratic gains since the 2017 political transition but continues to face serious challenges linked to weak law enforcement, corruption and governance failures.
Published by Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) on Monday, the report, titled State of Human Rights in The Gambia 2025, says freedoms of expression, association and the media have improved significantly compared to previous decades, with citizens increasingly participating in public debate and accountability initiatives.
It, however, warns that the gains remain fragile due to weak implementation of laws and inconsistent enforcement of existing legal frameworks.
According to the report, corruption remains widespread and continues to undermine governance, public service delivery and trust in state institutions.
Despite repeated government commitments to combat corruption, the report notes that few prosecutions have been undertaken and accountability remains limited in major cases, including the disposal of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets and the Russian fuel scandal.
The report states that persistent impunity has weakened the rule of law and limited equitable access to national resources and opportunities.
It further notes growing concerns over civil and political rights in 2025, citing cases of arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force and restrictions on protests.
Law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, were accused of brutality, selective enforcement of laws and intimidation of government critics.
The report also raised concerns over proposed legislation, including the Cybercrime Bill, warning that such measures could threaten civic space and digital rights.
On economic and social rights, the report says access to quality education, healthcare and social protection remains inadequate, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Women, children, youth and persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination, exclusion and limited representation in decision-making processes despite existing legal protections, it added.
The report identified governance and accountability deficits across key state institutions, including the National Assembly, oversight bodies and the judiciary.
It said parliamentary investigations and audit findings frequently expose irregularities but rarely result in sanctions or corrective measures.
Delays in implementing transitional justice recommendations and constitutional reforms were also cited as obstacles to democratic consolidation.
The report said The Gambia remains at a critical stage in its democratic transition and warned that failure to strengthen accountability and address systemic inequalities could reverse gains achieved since 2017.
It called for stronger political commitment, institutional independence and active citizen participation to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights in the country.