Information received from State House has indicated that a delegation of the Alliance of Victim Led Organisations paid a courtesy call on President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul on Friday, 5 April 2024.
In a dialogue with the President, the release said the victims and survivors of the human rights violation of the 22-year-rule of the previous regime demanded for justice and a speedy implementation of the TRRC recommendations, including the enactment of the Victims Reparations Bill.
In response to their quest, President Barrow told them that his Government is following due process to implement the TRRC White Paper, which he said might take a while. President Barrow, however, assured the delegates that his Government’s priority is to ensure that both victims’ and survivors’ health compensation and well-being are taken care of. The release said the President underscored his administration’s commitment to uphold human rights and the rule of law, assuring the victims that his Government is fully committed to implement the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission’s recommendations on the human rights violations committed during former President Yahya Jammeh’s regime.
Mahmoud Sillah, one of the victims, pointed out that there were remains of the November 11, 1994 alleged coup victims lying at the mortuary of the EFSTH in Banjul, and called for a swift forensic identification of the victims so that they can be handed over to their respective families.
Speaking to the press after their rendezvous with the President, Mahmoud expressed delight at President Barrow’s remarks and said he was optimistic about the outcome of their meeting.
AVLO is an alliance of eight victim organisations that focuses on different areas of violations such as enforced disappearances, presidential HIV treatment and the witch hunts.
The Chairperson of AVLO, Sirrah Ndow, said they are committed to continue the fight for victims’ rights in order to ensure justice and accountability and for the promotion of the ‘NEVER AGAIN’ slogan. She said President Barrow encouraged the delegates to stick together and work towards their common goal.
Readers could recall that massive human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, detentions and rights violations including extra-judicial killings, as well as torture and ill-treatment under the former regime, were revealed through the TRRC process which continues to impact the lives and livelihood of victims and their families, and the Gambian population at large.
