By Ousman A. Marong
The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies—an independent, non-profit regional human rights NGO based in Banjul—in partnership with the Civil Society Organizations in the country, had commemorated International Human Rights Day with the THEME, “Youths Standing up for Human Rights” STANDING UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS”. The event was held at Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.
In her keynote address, the Executive Director of ACDHRS, Madam Hannah Forster explained that the cardinal objective of the celebration was to devise strategies, geared towards ending the scourges of human rights violations across the African continent. She hailed the youths for their active participation in the fight to end degrading human rights violations.
The youths, Madam Forster noted, are taking their rightful role to end human rights violations. She reminded: “A few years ago, the AU dedicated the year to the youths; harnessing the power of the youths and to make sure that they contribute their quota to the development of their countries.”
The Executive Director of the Continental Centre for Human Rights Studies, however, challenged authorities to revisit mitigation strategies on gross human rights violations, and to foster cooperation with Civil Society Organizations in the strive to attain equitably justice for all and sundry.
“Over 80 percent of the world is living in authoritarian societies. If countries are living in or operating in a closed society, in an obstructed society where people are oppressed, it will be difficult for Civil Society to do their work effectively,’’ the Executive Director cautioned.
Mr. Madi Jobarteh, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s Country Representative in The Gambia, held that civic space had been shrinking for the past years, due to repressive colonial laws. {It would be noted that Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy around the world; and Jobarteh is at the helm of its offshoot in this West African nation}.
Speaking at the International Human Rights Day celebration in Kololi, the outspoken rights activist intimated to his audience that, Civic Society plays a pivotal role in strengthening democratic space.
Jobarteh went on: “Civic space enables us to gather and assemble, and to express our views so that we hold government accountable.”
