Africa News

January 12, 2001

Gambia's Transition Incomplete

By Human Rights Coordination, The Point (Banjul)

Banjul - The Coordinator for the coalition of Human Rights defenders in The Gambia, Muhammed Lamin Sillah, has said that the country's transition to democratic rule is incomplete owing to the delay in holding Local Government Elections.

Mr. Sillah who was speaking in an exclusive interview, said this shows disregard for the constitutional provisions, adding that the Local Government Elections are part of the democratic package, and that since this was not fulfilled then Gambia's transition to democratic rule was not complete.

He said the municipalities and councils are imposed on Gambians illegally. On Gambia's Human Rights, Mr. Sillah said a lot of Human Rights abuses had been committed in the past years, and that the perpetrators should be brought to book. "We must identify the perpetrators if we are to forge ahead," he said.

He suggested that an Independent Commission be setup where Gambians could lodge complaints on human rights violations for the truth to be established. On the planned constitutional amendments, Mr. Sillah said his belief was that if there was anything to be amended it should have been decrees 89, 70, 71, the NIA decree 45 and other obnoxious decrees in the constitution that are not consistent, adding that the indemnity clause should also be revisited." I will join anybody or groups who want to challenge the proposed amendments which will erode the Fundamental Human Rights of Gambians. This will include the rights to vote and to be voted for.

"I will also urge the Government to join the rest of the comity of nations to ratify the International Criminal Court so that people who commit crimes against humanity be investigated," he said. On the way forward, Mr. Sillah said the NGOs, civic society, Government, Political Parties and religious bodies should engage each other in a constructive dialogue to map the way forward, as the present trend of things is nothing but a recipe for chaos and disorder. He expressed the hope that 2001 would be a year of observance of human rights, democracy and good governance in the Gambia.