Banjul, 14th July 2021 – The United Nations The Gambia, Resident Coordinator, Ms. Seraphine Wakana received an award today on behalf of UNDP, UN OHCHR and the UN PBF in recognition of their support and dedication to the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).  

Since 2017, UN OHCHR and UNDP have implemented a PBF funded project supporting the capacity of the government and national stakeholders to establish credible transitional justice processes and mechanisms that promote reconciliation and sustainable peace in The Gambia. The project is key in delivering justice and preventing the recurrence of human rights violations, and consequently, maintaining sustainable peace in the country as evidenced with the establishment of and support to the TRRC.

The UN Resident Coordinator congratulated the TRRC on its accomplishments towards ensuring investigations and establishment of an impartial historical record of human rights violations and abuses committed during the period of July 1994 to January 2017 and commended the TRRC’s approach in ensuring the process was as inclusive and participatory as possible, to ensure no one is left behind.

The Resident Coordinator also appreciated the government for creating the right environment for the successful implementation of the work of the TRRC and expressed gratitude to OHCHR and UNDP principles, Mr. Andrea Ori and Ms. Aissata De and especially to the Transitional Justice and Human Rights Project staff in The Gambia who worked tirelessly to support the TRRC.

Other partners awarded by the TRRC during the same ceremony included the Institute of Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and International IDEA.

The TRRC’s final report to the President of The Gambia, including its findings and recommendations is due for submission this month.

For more information and media interviews, contact: Mariam Njai, Communications Analyst, UNDP The Gambia: Tel; +220 3303180, Email: mariam.njai@undp.org

For more information on the TRRC visit: https://www.trrc.gm/