Human Rights News
The Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations (Victims’ Center) has completed Phase Two of its nationwide Musical Caravan outreach across the North Bank Region (NBR), Central River Region (CRR), and Upper River Region (URR), marking a major milestone in efforts to deepen grassroots engagement on transitional justice in The Gambia.
More in the news report.
Civil society actors in The Gambia express deep concern over recent public remarks by Dr Ismaila Ceesay directed at Madi Jobarteh and the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice. These remarks must be understood within a broader and troubling pattern of delegitimising critical civic voices rather than engaging with the substance of their concerns. In particular, the questioning of the legitimacy of the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice—and, by extension, the credibility of its founder—raises serious issues for democratic discourse. More in the statement.
Aisha Jammeh says true reparations go beyond financial compensation and must include the prosecution of those responsible for atrocities committed during the Jammeh regime. Having lost her father to a state-sanctioned killing, she argues that justice and accountability are central to healing for victims and their families. Her call echoes growing demands for the government to fully implement the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.
This article was first published in the build up to the conclusion of the TRRC.
As the Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission was winding down, there was significant uncertainty around the government’s pledge to fund victims’ reparations. Our reporter spoke to the Chair of the Reparations Committee, the then Chairperson of the Victim Center, the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, and the Technical Director of the Women’s Association for Women and Victims Empowerment (WAVE).
Now that reparations payments have recommenced, the government has still not fulfilled its promise to fully fund the reparations commission.
This publication was first issued in 2020. More in this report.
The Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) flew four victims who testified before the Commission to Turkey in December 2019 for urgent medical treatment. After three of the victims returned from Turkey in late 2020, our reporter published this article, highlighting the lessons learnt during the interim reparations process.
More in this publication first published in 2020.
The Coordinator of the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations (Victims’ Center), Mr Kebba Jome, has criticised the government for failing to implement key recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), notably the declaration of April 10th or 11th as official school holidays to commemorate the 2000 student massacre. More in the news report.
The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) has announced that they will be submitting their much-anticipated TRRC Final Report and Recommendations (Final Report) to President Adama Barrow on Thursday, 25th November 2021.
More in the news report first published in 2021.
A Gambian journalist revealed that his brother is among almost 200 migrants feared dead at sea after a boat departing from Nuimi Jinack in late 2025 disappeared without a trace.
Journalist Landing Ceesay questioned the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the government’s efforts to monitor such tragedies and confirm the deaths. More in the news report.
Bakary Camara, the Alkalo of Sarra Kunda village in The Gambia’s North Bank Region, has revealed his alleged arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, and forced exile under the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh, declaring himself ‘the first victim of Jammeh-era abuses in the community’. More in this moving story.
Communities and victims across several villages in The Gambia’s North Bank Region (NBR) have voiced growing frustration over what they describe as ‘the slow pace of justice for human rights violations committed during the 22-year rule of former president Yahya Jammeh,’ questioning the government’s commitment to implementing key accountability measures.
More in the news report.
After a parliamentary inquiry in September 2025 compelled the Minister for Justice to disclose how much funds have been disbursed to the Victims Reparations Commission, the Ministry issued this press release on the matter.
In the statement, the Ministry revealed that it has disbursed D22.8 million out of the D30 million allocated to the Victims Reparations Commission for 2025.
More in the press release.
Feature Publications
Donate to Askanwi
Why Support Askanwi?
Donate to Askanwi's GoFundMe: Support Askanwi - Reliable News for The Gambia
Askanwi is dedicated to bridging the gap for reliable, balanced, and citizen-centered news that directly impacts the lives of its readers.
By closely monitoring the progress of the country's transitional process, Askanwi continues to lead with powerful human interest stories, including the ongoing coverage of the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) crisis, the drafting of the new Constitution, and the rollout of the Transitional Justice Program—just to name a few.
Your generous support will enable Askanwi to continue its important work: following the AKI saga, breaking stories of corruption, investigating public malfeasance, producing quarterly newsletters, and ensuring the continued operation of Askanwi Media.
Donate to Askanwi’s GoFundMe: Support Askanwi - Reliable News for The Gambia
Videos
Inside the Mentality of the Junglers
This video report details how the Junglers were trained by an 'Italian Mafia' known only as Francisco Casio, who praised the Junglers for killing civilians. In this video report, we explore the mentality of the Junglers who were trained to kill with orders from the former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.
CSOs to Review Police Bill to Replace Outdated Police Act
Assistant Police Commissioner Almameh S Manga revealed to Askanwi Media that the Police High Command is currently reviewing the Police Bill set to replace the outdated 1949 Police Act. After this, Civil Society are also scheduled to review the Bill before being tabled in Parliament. More in this video report.
Residents of Sambang Fula in Niamina have recounted experiences of victimisation during the era of former President Yahya Jammeh, as the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations (Victims’ Center) continued its Musical Caravan outreach involving community dialogue and public engagement.
More in the news report.