By Alagie Manneh
The Gambia Government was “complicit and guilty” in its handling of a sex crime allegedly committed in April by a Senegalese diplomat, the Child Protection Alliance (CPA) said Sunday.
Detailing its dismay, the CPA questioned why The Gambia government refused to make a formal request to the government of Senegal for the top diplomat’s immunity status to be revoked in order for him to be eligible for trial in The Gambia.
“The government was equally irresponsible for failing to make a request to Senegal to be allowed to declare the diplomat persona non grata. They should also have written to Senegal for the diplomat to face the full force of the law there after his recall,” CPA national coordinator Lamin Fatty told The Standard.
The unidentified diplomat, 41, was accused of defiling a “mentally-challenged” 17-year-old girl he resided in the same compound with in the Greater Banjul Area.
In the wake of the incident, many Gambians called for the unnamed suspect to be brought to book however, he was released shortly after questioning by police, who sources said cited his immunity from prosecution under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
In May however, police investigators who looked into the matter said the diplomat took advantage of the young girl, recommending for his prosecution in The Gambia.
Last Monday, The Gambia Government disclosed it can no longer follow up the matter because the diplomat has been recalled to Dakar.
“We call on the government to seek justice for this young girl. We call on them to use all diplomatic and other channels to make sure this guy faces justice in Senegal,” Mr Fatty added.
He said The Gambia government has become notorious for indifference in child related issues, but urged Senegal “to do what is right” in the matter.
“Senegal ratified the [UN] Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Therefore, they must do what is right and make sure this guy faces justice in Senegal,” he said.
He said the serial Norwegian pedophile, Svein Agesandakar, who abused an underage girl but pardoned by President Barrow in 2018, had faced the authorities in Oslo.
“He was reportedly tried upon his return to Norway. The beach sex involving a French diplomat with a minor was also looked into by the government of France,” Fatty added.
“It’s unfortunate in The Gambia, institutions seem to be blaming each other [regarding this case]. The Ministry of Justice said only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can take up the matter. The foreign ministry also said the burden lies on the Department of Social Welfare. So, the government has been complicit. The Gambia Government is as guilty as the [alleged] perpetrator. If there wasn’t a follow-up, the government would not have revealed that the diplomat was recalled. The truth is, this government has never taken the rights or issues of children seriously,” Fatty stated.
NHRC takes the case
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission announced yesterday it will commence a formal probe into the matter. Its chairperson, Emmanuel Joof, told The Standard issues relating to children are of interest to the commission.
“This is what we are established for”, Mr Joof said, adding, “I would want to involve our legal team so that we follow up on the trend of your story. We will talk to CPA and if possible, we would talk to the family of the victim. We will find out what the issue really is.”
‘Still suffering’
The victim’s mother, 47, said her only girl child continues to “suffer” pain almost a year after the alleged rape.
When told the NHRC will be looking into the matter, the mother-of-three said: “Anything they can do to help our cause for justice is welcome. I cannot do it by myself.”
She added on the state of her child: “She used to have pain every month. It’s agonising. My child is suffering.”
