By: Fatou Krubally
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has called for the resignation or removal of Imam Baba Leigh from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), saying his alleged tribal remarks are incompatible with the responsibilities of a human rights commissioner.
In a statement issued on Monday, EFSCRJ said Leigh’s reported comment that “the Mandinka always like to be angry” amounted to negative ethnic stereotyping and violated the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
The rights organization says commissioners serving on the NHRC are entrusted with protecting the rights and dignity of all Gambians, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
According to EFSCRJ, remarks perceived to promote tribalism undermine public confidence in the Commission and weaken its moral authority as an independent human rights institution.
The organization maintained that tribalism has no place in public service and called for Leigh to either resign voluntarily or be removed through the appropriate legal process.
It added that the same standards of accountability should apply to all public officials, particularly those occupying positions responsible for safeguarding human rights.
The statement follows widespread public criticism of comments allegedly made by Imam Baba Leigh during an online discussion, for which he has since issued a public apology, saying his remarks were made in his personal capacity and were not intended to characterize the Mandinka community as a whole.