By Momodou Jarju
Investigation conducted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that caste conflicts in the Upper River Region (URR) have negative impact in the minds of the children.
The communities of Diabugu, Koina and Garawol in URR have witnessed series of conflicts since 2018 as a result of the prevailing caste system within those communities.
“Due to the increase tension within the said communities, the two groups are not socializing, and this has created a negative perception in the minds of the children of the ‘nobles’ and the members of the “Gambana.” Both sides are of the view that the lack of interaction and socialization between them is to give peace a chance,” the NHRC said in its findings.
One of the officials at the meeting informed Foroyaa that the impact has started growing into the minds of the children.
“If they see their parents not going to each other’s ceremonies automatically, they would also not socialize. They would not mingle in schools,” the official said.
The report which was submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights Matters since January 2020, is yet to be dealt with, which the Rights Commission believed is due to lack of political will to address the situation.
The Rights Commission on Thursday 3rd, 2020 held its first sitting of the Taskforce set up to look into caste conflicts.
Also contained in the report is a set of recommendations which the government should embark upon with the support of the stakeholders. One of the recommendations pointed out a grassroots approach to address the social divide in the affected communities and even across the country.
“Encourage the schools to include in their extra-curricular activities events that will foster unity in their communities such as sporting activities, screening of videos on human rights and related matters, exchanges visits with other schools outside their localities, debates, lectures from human rights institutions and civil society organizations to talk about human rights matters highlighting especially issues surrounding discrimination and gender justice,” the Rights Commission recommendation showed.
Meanwhile, NHRC’s report came up with twenty-two findings and six recommendations. Foroyaa will bring details of the Commisssion’s findings and recommendations in the next edition.
