The Child Protection Alliance has condemned the pardoning of four convicted child rapists by President Adam, describing it as undermining the government’s obligations to protect and promote the welfare of children.

The four pardoned prisoners are Ousman Baldeh, Momodou Camara, Yankuba Njie and Nfamara Mballow.

Lamin Fatty, National Coordinator of Child Protection Alliance (CPA), said his office “learnt with grave concern that President Adama Barrow gave clemency to the four convicted pedophiles.”

“These four pedophiles where all charged and convicted for rape and sexual abuse of children between the ages of 4 and 14. As a body dedicated to child protection, we wish to express our total rejection of the decision to pardon these four convicted individuals and demand that President Barrow rescinds his decision,” he said.

Fatty called on Barrow to rescind the release of the four individuals similarly convicted for abusing children.

“The Alliance would like to bring the attention of the authorities to the Welfare Principle of Section 3 of the Children’s Act 2005 which provides that, ‘The best interest of the child shall be the paramount consideration by any court, institution, person or other body in determining any question concerning a child,’” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba