By Ousman Saidykhan
Minister of Justice Dawda A. Jallow told lawmakers on Wednesday that the Ministry of Justice will in October 2024 gazette the names of individuals proposed to serve as commissioners in the Reparations Commission, whose establishment is provided by the Victims Reparations Act.
Section (13) Subsection (4) of the Victims Reparations Act provides for the Minister to gazette the names of nine candidates shortlisted by the selection panel for fourteen days, during which time anyone who has objections to their candidacy can write to the Minister.
The selection panel consisted of individuals from the Public Service Commission, the Association of Non-governmental Organisations (TANGO), the Victims’ Center, the Accountant General’s Department, the Medical and Dental Council, and other institutions.
Dawda A. Jallow, the Minister, said the secretariat is compiling the final reports and recommendations of the selection panel, which will be submitted to the Attorney General.
“It is expected that the report will be approved by the selection panel before the end of September and the names of nine (9)proposed commissioners gazetted by the Ministry of Justice during the first two weeks in October.
“Therefore, these names will be formally submitted to the National Assembly for further scrutiny and shortlisting to seven (7),” the Justice Minister told parliament.
The Victims Reparations Act was enacted last November to establish a fund for the provision of reparations for Victims of human rights abuses and violations during the 22-year rule of The Gambia’s former president, Yahya Jammeh.
The Act provides for the establishment of a seven-member Reparations Commission, which shall operate for five (5) years as per Section (11) Subsection (2) of the Act.
The Reparations Commission is responsible for reviewing reparations provided by the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC)and making necessary adjustments.
It is also responsible for identifying new victims not previously recognized by the TRRC, creating and maintaining an up-to-date victim database, and developing and publishing guidelines and procedures for granting reparations.
According to the Minister, when the call for applications was opened in April, the secretariat received 66 applications and nominations.
“The vacancy notice was posted in three newspapers: Foroyaa, The Voice, and The Point Newspapers. TVs: GRTS and Qtv; Q Radio and GamJobs,” Dawda A Jallow said.
The seven-member Reparations Commission include at least three women. It must also have two victim representatives; two youth, one of whom must be from a disability organisation.
