Held At The Senegambia Beach Hotel, The Stakeholder Engagement Brought Together Key Actors From Government Institutions, Civil Society, Development Partners, And The Media And Accorded Participants An Opportunity To Review And Endorse The Report, Which Provides A Comprehensive Overview Of The Human Rights Landscape In The Country From January To December 2024.

The Report, Which Covers A Full Calendar Year From January To December 2024, Also Presented A Critical Overview Of Key Human Rights Developments In The Country. In The Report, The Commission Also Reported Receiving 55 Complaints Of Alleged Violations, With 40 Cases Resolved And 15 Still Under Investigation.

It Also Addresses Thematic Issues Such As Access To Justice, The Right To Liberty And Security, Freedom Of Expression, And The Protection Of Vulnerable Groups Including Older Persons And Persons With Disabilities.

Additionally, It Highlights Emerging Areas Such As Business And Human Rights, Social And Economic Rights, Cultural Rights, And Environmental Protection.

At The Event, Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Chairman Of NHRC, Described The Report As A Statutory Obligation Under Section 12(e)(iv) Of The NHRC Act.

The State Of Human Rights Report 2024, Which We Are Gathered Here To Validate, Is A Product Of This Mandate,” He Stated.

“Together, We Are Building A Gambia Where Human Dignity, Equality, And Justice Are Not Just Aspirations But Daily Realities.”

Chairman Joof Extended Gratitude To The Ministry Of Justice, The Gambia Police Force, Civil Society Organizations, The Media, And All Stakeholders For Their Continued Support And Collaboration With The Commission.

For His Part, Karl Frederick Paul, UN Resident Coordinator, Praised The NHRC’s Commitment To Transparency And Alignment With International Standards.

He Emphasised That The Report Is A Powerful Tool For Monitoring Human Rights Progress, Identifying Systemic Challenges, And Informing Sound Policy Decisions.

Paul Further Noted The Crucial Link Between Human Rights And The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Adding That Human Rights And Sustainable Development Are Mutually Reinforcing.

“The NHRC’s Work Is Pivotal In Helping The Gambia Meet Its Obligations Under The 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development.”

The Presentation Ceremony Held At The MoBSE Conference Room In Banjul, Marks A Key Advancement In Civic And Human Rights Instruction For Upper Basic School Students. The International Institute For Democracy And Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) Is An Intergovernmental Organization That Supports Democracy Worldwide.

At The Presentation Ceremony, Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Chairman National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Explained That From The Textbooks Creation To This Presentation, They’ve Taken A Crucial Step In Nurturing Civic Responsibility And Human Rights Understanding In Our Schools.

"These Books Will Instill In Our Children Essential Values, Respect For Human Rights, The Rule Of Law, Tolerance, And An Appreciation For Diversity."

Mr. Louis Moses Mendy, Permanent Secretary At MoBSE, Expressed Gratitude To The European Union, NHRC, And International IDEA For Their Invaluable Support In This Vital Area Of Education.

PS Mendy Reaffirmed MoBSE’s Dedication To Equipping Students With Necessary Patriotic Values, Norms, And Respect For Human Rights Through The Ministry’s Civic Education Curriculum.

The Presentation Of These Vital Learning Materials, PS Mendy Noted Is The Result Of In-depth Reviews And Extensive Consultations With Officials From MoBSE’s Curriculum, Research, Evaluation And Development Directorate (CREDD) And Human Rights Experts.

"This Collaborative Approach Ensured The Textbooks Are Comprehensive And Tailored To The Educational Needs Of Gambian Students." He Mentioned.

Also Speaking, Imam Njie, Curriculum Desk Officer For Civic Education At MoBSE, Noted That The Handing Over Of These Textbooks Represents A Significant Leap Forward In Fortifying The Foundation Of Civic Responsibility And Human Rights Awareness Among Upper Basic School Students In The Eight (8) Selected Pilot Schools Nation-wide.

Immaculada Roca I Cortés, The European Union (EU) Ambassador To The Gambia, Acknowledged That Strong Civic Education Empowers Students From An Early Age To Recognize Their Role In Shaping Society And Encourages Them To Uphold The Principles Of Justice, Equality, And The Rule Of Law.

She Indicated That By Embedding These Concepts In The Foundational Years Of Education, Of Citizens Who Are Knowledgeable But Also Committed To Building A More Just, Inclusive, And Resilient Democracy.

"We Appreciate That The Pilot Phase Includes Schools From All Six Educational Regions. This Helps Ensure A Fairer Distribution Of Opportunities And Reflects An Inclusive Approach To Educational Development," She Noted.

She Also Talked About The Gender-sensitive Dimension Of This Initiative, Noting That It Is Important That Civic Education Supports The Equal Participation Of Girls And Boys, Helping To Build A More Balanced And Inclusive Society Over Time.

Ambassador Roca I Cortés, on Behalf Of The EU, Thanked All Those Involved In The Process From Policymakers To Curriculum Developers To The Teachers, Who Will Now Bring This Content To Life In Classrooms Across The Country.

The Project, Developed Under The Kanifing Environmental Transformation Programme (KETP), Will Now Serve As A Public Space For Sports And Other Recreational Activities.

The Inauguration Was Presided Over By KMC Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda And Attended By Delegates From The United Nations And The European Union. 

However, This Project Was Jointly Funded And Supported By The UN System In The Gambia Namely -UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF And ITC.

At The Event, Ahmed Talib Bensouda, Mayor Of Kanifing Municipality Recalled That The Initiative Began With A Proposal To The UN To Revitalize The Long-abandoned Site And Preserve The Botanical Garden That Once Defined The Area. 

Mayor Bensounda Said The Project Came As A Result Of Strong Collaboration And Shared Responsibility Between KMC And Its Development Partners.

“The Park Is Now Positioned As A Multipurpose Green Space Promoting Sustainability, Community Engagement, And Improved Quality Of Life For Residents Of Kotu And Beyond.”

He Emphasized That The Park Is More Than A Recreational Facility; It Is A Vital Green Space That Promotes Environmental Education, Biodiversity, And Climate Consciousness.

“It’s A Place Where Families And Visitors Can Enjoy Healthy Activities While Connecting With Nature,” He Noted.

Also Speaking, UN Resident Coordinator Karl Frédérick Paul, While Underscoring The Importance Of The Project, Also Acknowledged That The Project Is A Youth-led Approach Focusing On Environmental Conservation.

UNFPA Country Representative Ms. Rose Sarr Also Described The Park As A Safe And Inclusive Space Designed To Be Free From Gender-based Violence.

Famara Fofana, Councilor Of Kotu Ward Expressed Delight To Be Associated With The Event, Noting The Park Now Stands Ready To Nurture The Well-being, Imagination And Creativity Of The People Of Kotu.

He Also Recognized The Support Of Lord Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda And Kanifing Municipal Council CEO Pa Sait Ceesay.

The Park Is Equipped With Solar-powered Lighting, A Borehole, Gender- And Child-friendly Toilets, A Playground, And Accessible Fitness Equipment. These Features Are Aimed At Providing An Inclusive Space For Community Recreation And Wellness.