The Gambia Bar Association (GBA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, convened a retreat at Bakadaji Hotel from the 1st to the 3rd of March, 2024. The retreat aimed to deliberate upon the Special Accountability Mechanism (SAM) and Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) Bills. These legislative proposals sought to establish a comprehensive framework for investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating cases of serious human rights violations and crimes outlined in the TRRC report, covering the period from July 1994 to January 2017.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from key figures, including Ms Neneh MC Cham, President of the GBA, Hon. Madi Ceesay, Chairperson of the National Assembly Human Rights Committee, and Mr. Abdoulie Colley, representing the Attorney General.
Ms. Ida Persson provided an overview of the special accountability mechanism’s conceptual framework, emphasizing the need for a cohesive implementation plan for the TRRC recommendations. Presentations on the SAM and SPO Bills sparked extensive discussions on various aspects, including the establishment of a hybrid court, the admissibility of TRRC evidence, and the independence of the special prosecutor. Concerns were raised and addressed regarding evidence preservation, jurisdiction of prosecutors, potential conflicts with existing legal structures, and the provision of legal aid.
The retreat provided a platform for in-depth discussions on these crucial bills, addressing potential challenges in their implementation and gathering valuable input from various stakeholders in The Gambia’s transitional justice process.
