By Aisha Tamba
The Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations yesterday issued a press statement expressing its dismay at the confirmation of an APRC/NPP alliance.
It said it is “confused and deeply saddened” by the move and that it does not bode well for the on-going transitional justice processes and condemned President Barrow for allying with “a terrorist party”.
It called the memorandum signed by the parties as “obnoxious” and claimed they failed to disclose its contents “because it represents the worst betrayal of public trust”.
The statement reads: “The victim’s community finds it utterly shocking and deplorable because the former APRC regime was led by a tin-pot dictator Yahya Jammeh who orchestrated the crimes of mass killings and rape of innocent mothers and daughters and fathers and sons for 22 years.
“The victims find it quiet disheartening and treacherous for Adama Barrow to abandon The Gambia’s transitional justice process and her crying citizens to run back to that killer and rapist tyrant and his terrorist party for an alliance to consolidate a desire for self-perpetuating rule.
This alliance came at a time when the truth commission is at the tail end of its mandate and subsequent submission of its final report and recommendations to the president. The alliance is perceived as a threat that may affect the implementation of TRRC recommendations by the government as well as the healing process of victims of the former ruling government.
“The Victims Centre and the community of victims of the former regime of the APRC see this alliance as outrageous and unpatriotic, therefore we expect all Gambians regardless of party affiliation to express their disappointment.
The Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations will continue to work with relevant partners to facilitate justice to victims, through national, regional and international mechanisms to ensure that the recommendations of the TRRC are fully implemented to safeguard the rights of victims in the country.
“Finally, we strongly advise the president to respect the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights as enshrined and entrenched in the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia.”
