Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mr. Gaye TheVoice
Published on 2024-02-28 08:32:03
Nu By Mama A. Touray
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended that the Gambia Government prosecute state agents responsible for the “maltreatment” of Bakary Mankajang.
According to the 2023 State of Human Rights Report, in September of last year, Bakary Mankajang, a social media influencer, was called for questioning by the police and detained incommunicado for three days before being charged with interfering with witnesses immediately after the arrest of Ousainou Bojang, the accused in the killing of the two PIU Officers at the Sukuta-Jabang Junction.
Mr. Mankajang alleged that he was deprived of food, water, and access to legal representatives during his detention at the Police Anti-Crime Unit in Banjulinding and that his family did not know his whereabouts.
The report also highlighted that in 2023, NHRC received five complaints of alleged torture, inhumane, and degrading treatment or punishment cases. One of the alleged cases was reported against a police officer in URR, two cases were reported against Drug Law Enforcement Agency officers in CRR and WCR, one case against immigration officers at Brikama, and the last one against a local psychiatric treatment center in the West Coast Region.
Additionally, there was a case reported on social media where a man in Nema-Su reportedly tied his young niece to a tree and subjected her to serious beating. The report stated that the girl was beaten and tied to a tree for over six hours, prompting many Gambians to call for the alleged perpetrator to be brought to justice.
NHRC further highlighted a landmark judgment on July 20, 2023, where Justice Tabally of the Brikama High Court found police officers guilty of torture against a civilian, and the victim was awarded D425,000 for compensation, legal, and administrative costs.
The commission emphasized that the complaints filed and the case of Mankajang all point towards torture, and the state should not condone its agents subjecting people to such treatment.
NHRC recommended that the government establish implementation infrastructure for the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2023, enforce its provisions, prosecute private individuals accused of engaging in acts of torture, ratify OPCAT, set up the National Preventive Mechanism, and train law enforcers on the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2023.
The report highlighted that the National Assembly enacted the Prohibition of Torture Act in March 2023, providing the legal framework for prohibiting, preventing, and punishing any form of torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment in The Gambia. The penalties are aimed at ensuring accountability for acts of torture, showing progress in combatting torture as a human rights violation.
In conclusion, the NHRC’s recommendation for the prosecution of state agents for the maltreatment of Bakary Mankajang sheds light on the importance of upholding human rights and preventing torture in The Gambia. The government’s commitment to enforcing laws against torture and holding perpetrators accountable is crucial in advancing human rights protections in the country.
Read the original article on The Voice Gambia
