The Gambia’s Ministry of Justice released a statement on Twitter featured in 13 separate tweets highlighting its efforts to act on the Recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) relating to the 10th & 11th April 2000 student massacre which claimed the lives of 15 people and left at least 20 others maimed and injured.
The statement published on the Ministry of Justice’s official Twitter account @Gambia_MOJ official was issued on 10th April 2023 which marked the 23rd year anniversary of the incident. Below is the statement.
As we mark the anniversary of the April 10th & 11th student demonstrations in The Gambia, we are reminded of the tragic events that occurred on that fateful day. We remember the brave students who took to the streets to demand justice… 1/13
— Ministry of Justice (@Gambia_MOJ) April 10, 2023
By the Ministry of Justice, @Gambia_MOJ
As we mark the anniversary of the April 10th & 11th student demonstrations in The Gambia, we are reminded of the tragic events that occurred on that fateful day. We remember the brave students who took to the streets to demand justice… 1/13
and respect for their rights, and mourn the lives that were lost and the injuries sustained as a result of the violent crackdown that followed. The April 10th student demonstrations were a defining moment in the history of The Gambia…2/13
and they served as a stark reminder of the importance of free speech, peaceful protest, and the right to express dissent without fear of retribution. Unfortunately, over the course of two days in April 2000, the response of the authorities was disproportionate and violent.3/13
The TRRC made 17 recommendations which were all accepted by the Government in its Whitepaper. For Recommendations 1- 5&8 which call for the prosecution of perpetrators, the Government is setting up a well-publicised special internationalised judicial framework with ECOWAS. 4/13
On recommendations 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11, the Government has suspended all perpetrators who are still serving within the government including Gorgui Mboob and has completed the drafting of a law to permanently ban all perpetrators from ever holding public office. 5/13
On recommendations 12 and 13 which call for better training for the police on crowd control, The GPF has received training on crowd control, de-escalation and first aid under a partnership with the German Police Support Team in The Gambia and the Baden-Wurttemberg Police. 6/13
The GPF PIU have also received training in Public Order Tactical Applications in collaboration with the French National Police. Such training has been mainstreamed within the PUI standard training course with a manual under development. 7/13
On recommendation 14 which calls for memorialisation, the Gov’t recognises the need to memorialise this day as part of a comprehensive memorial plan that covers all atrocities committed between 1994 and 2016. Consultations on the Memorialisation Plan will hold in Q3 2023. 8/13
On recommendations 15 and 16 which call for the establishment of channels of communication and a grievance mechanism for students the Government can confirm that grievance mechanisms exist under MOBSE and MOHERST and is taking steps to popularise these mechanisms. 9/13
On Recommendation 17 which calls for the setting up of a fund to provide medical assistance and support, the Bill to establish the Victims Reparation Fund to provide reparations for victims (including medical care) has been validated by stakeholders. 10/13
In the interim, the Ministry of Health on the request of @Gambia_MOJ has recently set up a Health Board to look into cases requiring emergency treatment particularly victims of April 10 & 11 which will begin evaluating cases this week as part of the commemoration. 11/13
In the interim, the Ministry of Health on the request of@Gambia_MOJ
has recently set up a Health Board to look into cases requiring emergency treatment in particular victims of April 10 & 11 which will begin evaluating cases this week as part of the commemoration. 11/13— Ministry of Justice (@Gambia_MOJ) April 10, 2023
We take this opportunity to thank CSOs especially @wavegambia who have continued to advocate for medical care for the victims of April 10th and 11th and @SoloSandengFoun who have dedicated a large part of their work to advocating for Security Sector Reform. 12/13
As we remember these events, let us renew our commitment to the pursuit of justice, equality, and freedom for all. Let us honour the memory of those who lost their lives or were injured by working to create a better, more just, and more democratic future for The Gambia. 13/13
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