THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS &
INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA
The new Government has reiterated its commitment to the respect for the rule of law by adhering to all
ECOWAS court judgements.
Furthermore, in 2017 the authorities issued arrest warrants for the former Army Officers Kawsu Camara
and Sanna Manjang for the alleged murder of journalist Deyda Hydara in 2004.
Article 9: ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Access to information is considered as one of the fundamental rights in a modern democratic society that
will enable citizens to make better and informed decisions. It is provided in the laws of The Gambia that
every citizen has a right to freedom of expression, to receive and impart information without interference of
public authorities.
The current Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Justice and Article 19 have a signed
memorandum of understanding to work on the media law reform program, including the drafting of an
access to information law.
Article 10 FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
Constitutional Measures
In terms of the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association, every person in The Gambia, whatever his
or her race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property,
birth or other status, shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual
contained in the Constitution but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public
interest.
Section 25(1) (e) provides that: “every person shall have the right to freedom of association, which
shall include freedom to form and join associations and unions, including political parties and
trade unions” . right to freedom of association is protected under the Constitution
Unfortunately, The Gambia has experienced a high degree of suppression of the enjoyment to this right
between 1994 and 2017, where members of political parties and other organisations have been subjected
to arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and imprisonment for exercising their right to freedom of association.
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