Amnesty International has urged President Adama Barrow to tackle the impunity of crimes that happened during the regime of exiled former President Yahya Jammeh.

The call comes as World Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10. 

Michèle Eken, researcher for Amnesty International in West Africa, said: “As he starts a second term in office, President Adama Barrow must tackle the huge challenge of ending impunity for human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh which starts with prosecuting alleged perpetrators in fair trials before criminal courts.”

Eken added: “The President’s agenda must also include the repeal of laws restricting freedom of expression and freedom of assembly which can still be liberally used to muzzle dissenting voices.

“In addition to protecting freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and fighting impunity, the manifesto includes commitments to take a tougher stance on ending sexual, gender-based violence and discrimination towards women, to promote access to food, employment, education, housing and health, to adopt a national law prohibiting torture and to remove death penalty provisions from Gambia’s statute books.”

“It’s not too late for the president to make this clear commitment to tackle these pressing issues and we urge him to do so,” Eken said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba