The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations, known as the Victims’ Center, has strongly condemned the police brutality, unlawful arrests, and detention of peaceful protesters on May 8, 2025, following a demonstration by the GALA organization demanding transparency in the sale of former President Yahya Jammeh’s looted assets.
The Victims’ Center, established in 2017, has been a staunch advocate for accountability for the victims of Jammeh’s regime. The Center expressed solidarity with GALA’s call for clarity, sparked by The Republic’s investigative report that ignited nationwide discussions on various media platforms.
The Center voiced deep concern over the police’s denial of GALA youths’ right to peaceful assembly, which led to alleged torture, unlawful arrests, and detentions, triggering widespread youth-led protests across the country. “We are alarmed by the violation of fundamental rights and the use of excessive force against citizens exercising their constitutional freedoms,” the Center stated.
In a positive development, the protests prompted the government to release a list of sold properties, including buyers and prices. The Victims’ Center welcomed this step toward transparency but urged the government to investigate and prosecute officers allegedly responsible for torturing protesters, emphasizing the need to uphold anti-torture laws and ensure accountability before a competent court.
The Center also refuted claims by the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) that millions of dalasi were disbursed to victims. It clarified that the government has not provided any direct funds to the Center since its inception. The only funds allocated were 50 million dalasi to the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), of which 13 million dalasi supported interim reparations and 33 million dalasi went toward partial reparations. The National Reparations Commission is expected to complete the process.
The Victims’ Center called on the government to reject human rights violations, promote the rule of law, and uphold the “Never Again” mantra to prevent a return to the abuses of the past. It reiterated its commitment to advocating for justice and reparations for Gambia’s victims and urged continued national dialogue on transparency and accountability.
