By Haddy Touray
The Gambian government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of migrant workers following the successful conclusion of a constructive dialogue with the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The dialogue, held on 4 and 5 June, followed the submission and consideration of The Gambia’s initial State report under Article 73 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW), which the country ratified in 2018.
According to the government, the engagement provided an opportunity to present progress, achievements, challenges and ongoing reforms aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of migrant workers and their families in line with the Convention.
The Gambian delegation was led by the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Mr Mod K. Ceesay, and included senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, and the Gambia Immigration Department.
The delegation’s participation was facilitated by The Gambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other international organisations in Geneva, headed by Ambassador Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah.
The government said the discussions were conducted in a spirit of openness, cooperation and mutual respect, underscoring The Gambia’s commitment to strengthening migration governance and upholding international human rights standards.
During the dialogue, the delegation highlighted legal and institutional reforms, efforts to strengthen immigration management, measures to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, labour migration initiatives and the work of national institutions involved in migration governance.
The government welcomed the Committee’s observations and recommendations, describing them as valuable contributions to efforts aimed at strengthening laws, policies and administrative practices relating to migrant workers and members of their families.
It also expressed appreciation to government ministries, departments and agencies that contributed to the preparation of the report, as well as the OHCHR Country Office for its technical support.
The government further thanked the Gambia Red Cross Society, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), civil society organisations and the Commonwealth Small States Office in Geneva for their support during the reporting process and preparations for the dialogue.