The publication – The Gambia as a Bastion of Human Rights Advocacy in Africa, 1965 – 1994, highlights The Gambia’s long and illustrious record of upholding human rights and dignity dating to the colonial period. Even during British rule, Gambian patriots found ways of maintaining the maximum level of freedom of expression and assembly despite the panoply of colonial regulation and laws, which were inimical to free expression.
The NHRC’s work contributes to the rule of law and democratic governance in the
Gambia through its oversight functions and engagement with the three arms of
government. A human rights-based approach to government requires ministers
and administrators to tailor activities and programmes to meet fundamental
human rights standards; legislators to scrutinise legislation and review executive
action for compatibility; and an independent and impartial judiciary to control
excesses.
The Modules draw inspiration from national, regional and international human rights instruments. It references best practices and includes case studies. It also emphasizes the role of our national security institutions in the protection of human rights, including the protection of women from all forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), strengthening of good governance, the rule of law and due process.
It gives the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) much pleasure
to collaborate with the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) through Transitional Justice and Human Rights Project
(TJHR Project) for the Research and Development of a Sexual
Harassment in the Workplace Policy.
Funding for this policy and report were made possible by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, through the joint UNDP and OHCHR Project on Transitional Justice and Human Rights in The Gambia.