Gambian authorities on Wednesday launched the long-awaited white paper by the Reality, Reconciliation and Reparations Fee (TRRC) set as much as probe crimes dedicated throughout the reign of former President Yahya Jammeh.
The TRRC’s findings have been delivered after over two years of hearings, throughout which witnesses gave chilling proof about torture, demise squads, rape and witch hunts — typically by the hands of Jammeh’s hit unit, generally known as the Junglers.
Among the many suggestions on the panel’s white paper is the prosecution of Jammeh and members of the Junglers and to offer help to victims of the previous dictator’s brutal reign, which was infamous for crushing dissent by homicide, disappearances, torture, rape and castration.
Significant step ahead
The discharge of the white paper ends six months of ready for the reason that TRRC first launched its findings into human rights abuses below Jammeh.
“Impunity is a type of incentive that we aren’t ready to serve perpetrators,” stated Gambia’s justice minister, Dawda Jallow.
“Allow us to be clear about this,” he stated, “that those that ponder committing gross human rights violations should additionally bear in mind that society in the future will maintain them accountable.”
Reed Brody, a lawyer with the Worldwide Fee of Jurists who works with Jammeh’s victims, known as the ministry’s response to the TRRC “an vital and significant step ahead.”
“Now the federal government must display with concrete actions to an more and more skeptical public that it truly has the dedication to deliver the perpetrators to guide,” he stated.
“Legal guidelines nonetheless must be enacted, a courtroom needs to be established, instances must be ready,” he stated, “and Yahya Jammeh needs to be introduced into custody.”
Journalists not spared
Sherrif Kijera, chairman of the Gambia Heart for Victims of Human Rights Violations, stated: “The assertion by the justice minister is a transparent indication of the federal government’s dedication and the political will to implement suggestions of the white paper.”
The TRRC discovered that 240 to 250 individuals died by the hands of the state throughout Jammeh’s rule — together with journalists.
Among the many notable victims is AFP journalist Deyda Hydara, who was killed by the Junglers.
A demise squad member recognized by the media as B. Lowe is presently on trial in Germany for killing Hydara.
Victims need Jammeh and suspected accomplices to be tried for the crimes dedicated
Victims need justice
The victims advocate Isatou Jammeh informed DW correspondent Omar Wally in Banjul that his father, Haruna, a cousin of the previous president’s, was killed by the Junglers in 2005.
Haruna Jammeh’s physique was by no means discovered. Isatou desires her father’s killers to be prosecuted and his physique discovered and given an honest burial.
“My expectations of the white paper is to see that prosecution of those that bear highest obligations happen,” Isatou Jammeh stated.
“I would really like the Gambian authorities to make sure that the our bodies of the lacking individuals are discovered and returned to their households for correct burials,” he added.
“The federal government ought to make sure that what occurred below Yahya Jammeh’s rule by no means occurs once more,” he stated.
No justice, no peace
The justice activist Fatoumata Sandeng informed DW that her father, Solo Sandeng, was arrested in April 2016 for main a protest and not using a allow.
Solo Sandeng was a senior member of the opposition United Democratic Occasion. He and scores of different opposition supporters have been protesting, demanding electoral reforms. For Fatoumata, the prosecution of Yahya Jammeh and his accomplices is essential for the nation’s therapeutic.
“I all the time say there is no such thing as a reconciliation with out justice and nobody can power victims to reconcile,” Fatoumata Sandeng stated.
“Suggestions of the white paper needs to be absolutely applied to have a steady Gambia,” she added. “We would like only for Yahya Jammeh’s victims for the therapeutic course of to start.”
President Adama Barrow received reelection after forming an alliance with Yahya Jammeh’s social gathering
‘Prosecute Jammeh and reform safety companies’
In line with the white paper, civil society organizations in Gambia have additionally pressed the authorities to prosecute Jammeh over alleged abuses throughout his 22-year rule.
Victims hope that Gambia’s present president, Adama Barrow, may even overhaul the safety sector, reform jail, media and public order legal guidelines — and forensically probe compelled disappearances to keep away from a repeat of the purported abuses.
“Jammeh and others named by the TRRC ought to, with out fail, be held accountable for his or her crimes,” civil society organizations stated within the white paper, referring to the 69 different alleged perpetrators talked about within the TRRC report.
“Selections on granting of amnesty shouldn’t be taken with out prior session with victims and/or their households,” it added.
Residing in exile
Jammeh was compelled out of energy after shedding a 2016 election to Barrow. He subsequently fled to Equatorial Guinea the place lives in exile.
For Jammeh to face trial, Equatorial Guinea must conform to extradite him, nonetheless there may be presently no extradition settlement between the 2 nations. Two-thirds of Gambia’s parliament would additionally must approve a prosecution.
The fee beneficial utilizing a hybrid tribunal or making an attempt Jammeh in a neighboring nation.
He has denied the allegations towards him.
Edited by Keith Walker