Statement by UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Seraphine Wakana on International Human Rights Day 2020

• Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Dawda Jallow
• Chairperson National Human Rights Commission, Mr Emmanuel Joof,
• Distinguished Commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission and staff of the NHRC
• Hon. Chief Justice, Hassan B. Jallow
• Her Excellency Lady Chilel Jawara
• Hon. Omar Jallow
• Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Academic) UTG, Prof. Gomez and students of the University of The Gambia
• Civil Society Organisations and all institutions present
• My fellow UN Colleagues
• Ladies and Gentlemen,

All protocols duly and respectfully observed.

It is an absolute pleasure to be before you once again to celebrate Human Rights day, an important day set aside for us to reflect on the human rights situation in the world, and to continue pledging to advocate for the respect, promotion and protection of human rights in The Gambia and in other countries.

I am therefore grateful to the National Human Rights Commission for inviting me to attend this event which is very important as it not only highlights the importance of human rights, but also highlights the importance of ensuring Gambian youth are educated and empowered on human rights issues.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In light of this years’ experience, the Human Rights Day theme is “Build back better: putting human rights at the core of the recovery”,  which focuses  on the need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to recovery efforts and that human rights standards are  applied to tackle entrenched, systematic, and intergenerational inequalities, exclusion and discrimination. Human rights are also central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030, which demands we leave no one behind.  

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The UN in The Gambia stands with all stakeholders, especially the National Human Rights Commission which is an independent permanent body created by the National Assembly of The Gambia to promote and protect human rights in The Gambia.  We have seen Government’s efforts in restoring democracy and abide by its international and domestic obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfil human rights. The establishment of the National Human Rights Commission was a pivotal moment as the commission is a “key element” of a strong and effective national human rights protection system, helping to ensure compliance of Gambian laws and practices with all international human rights norms. It is also expected to support the Government to ensure implementation, monitoring and addressing at the national level core human rights concerns.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we are witness to a meaningful occasion that will have great impact on the human rights landscape. I acknowledge the work of the NHRC and the great strides it has taken since its establishment. The Commission is contributing to both, the strengthening of human rights at the national and international level. We have seen how active it is working including on issues of rights of detained persons, issues of discrimination and being vocal when rights are violated. We also see now how the NHRC is contributing to building back better by investing in the human rights education of our youth in The Gambia.

Today’s activity and celebration highlights another facet of the Commission’s mandate that is ensuring public awareness through educational programs to promote a culture of human rights in The Gambia. This Moot competition is an activity that is aligned with the commission’s mandate and will ensure that students are educated on their rights as well as encouraging a culture for human rights. The Moot competition avails UTG law students an opportunity to engage in pressing human rights issues in the country and explore ways to address them and prevent recurrence.  The competition is an important way in engaging students on human rights issues, thereby ensuring students are fully equipped to address human rights issues in The Gambia. These students are tomorrow’s leaders and what better way to ensure our future leaders  are equipped to handle tomorrow’s challenges via a human rights lens.

To the University of the Gambia students,

I congratulate you all for taking part in this moot competition. You have made a mark for yourselves and the University in being part of the maiden moot competition. I encourage you to continue on the path you have chosen to be part of the human rights discussions and make positive change in the paths you choose to follow. I congratulate the winners of the competition and emphasise that everyone who took part in the competition has made a positive impact.

To the National Human Rights Commission,

I congratulate you once again for this momentous event that reminds us of The Gambia’s contribution to the drafting of the African Charter on Human Rights through the efforts of the late Sir Dawda Jawara. The UN stands firm in supporting the National Human Rights Commission as it implements its mandate. The OHCHR and UNDP Transitional Justice and Human Rights Project under the UN Peacebuilding Fund is one example of the continued support to the National Human Rights Commission. As the UN in The Gambia proceeds in advancing Agenda 2030, which includes Leaving No one behind, it, is essential all sectors of society be engaged to ensure gains registered are sustainable especially as we aim to recover from this pandemic. In this regard, the UN stands ready to assist you in strengthening human rights protection systems in the country , as human rights is a fundamental pillar of the entire UN system.

I thank you again for this invitation and look forward to the moot finale,

Thank you for your kind attention.