Justice Minister Addresses Human Rights Council Meeting in Geneva
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Honorable Dawda A. Jallow, on Thursday, 2nd March, 2023 delivered a statement at the High Level Segment of the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council at a ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland.
The session brings together senior government officials from member states, such as the President of the General Assembly H.E. Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, the Secretary General of the United Nations H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights H.E. Mr. Volker Türk and the President of the Swiss Confederation S.E.M Ignazio Cassis among other dignitaries.
In his opening remarks, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice said, the session of the council serve as a crucial opportunity for member states to share their perspectives on the global human rights situation and to outline the steps taken to promote and protect human rights in their respective countries.
“As the world continues to witness gross human rights violations, including violence against women, children, persons with disabilities and the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, the Gambia joins the international community in condemning these atrocities and reaffirms our commitment to the principles of universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of human rights,” he said.
He added that the promotion and protection of human rights is fundamental to Gambia’s vision of a democratic and prosperous society, and that the country remains committed to upholding these values both at home and abroad.
He further stated that since the change of government in 2017, his Ministry has taken important steps to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions, to protect human rights, and to promote accountability and the rule of law in the Gambia.
According to him, the establishment of the TRRC was a significant step towards promoting human rights, justice, and reconciliation in the Gambia and following its successful completion in 2022.
“I am proud to report that the government has accepted 95% of the TRRC recommendations which includes legal and institutional reforms, prosecutions, reparations for victims, promotion of national healing and reconciliation among others” he stated.
He said, the government of the Gambia recognized the importance of these recommendations and they are committed to implementing them in a timely and effective manner with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, victims’ groups, and other partners.
“We will work together to prioritize and implement the recommendations, while also ensuring that the necessary resources are available,” he asserted.
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations System made up of 47 states responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.
