Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Fabián Salvioli, presents his report on his visit to the Gambia from 20 to 27 November 2019, where he assessed the measures adopted by the Government to address the serious human rights violations committed during the 22-year authoritarian regime of former President Yahya Jammeh.

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur notes the domestic process initiated, with support and guidance from the international community, to address past abuses and prevent their recurrence, and he addresses how the process evolved in the first three years following the regime change. He highlights the establishment of the much-praised Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, as well as the creation of the Constitutional Review Commission and the National Human Rights Commission. However, the Special Rapporteur warns about shortcomings in several areas, including criminal prosecutions, memorialization, institutional reforms and reparations.

The report is concluded with recommendations addressed to the Government and the international community.