By Adama Makasuba
Centre for Legal Support has engaged dozens of prison inmates on the country’s transitional justice program to raise their awareness on the program.
Officials of Centre for Legal Support, a mainly lawyers organisation, over the weekend met sensitised prison inmates at Mile Two and Jeshwang prisons. CLS was formed in 2018 to promote human rights and rule of law in the country.
Chairman of the group, Sheriff Kumba Jobe, said: “Our presence here today is clear manifestation that The Gambia has changed for better because few years back, this was not possible at all.
“Thus, as citizens we must demand greater respect for our fundamental human rights and freedom and unless we insist on our rights and livelihood, our democratic gains would be meaningless.
“We understand and feel your plights and the difficulties you are facing; and with the advent of the new political dispensation, we are committed to contribute our quota in responding to your legal needs.
“This has motivated us, as lawyers to come together to add value to the lives and rights of every Gambian particularly the undeserved and people with limited means such as women, children and youth.
“CLS provides pro bono legal assistance and representation to the undeserved and persons with limited means charged with criminal offences, victims of human rights violations in cases before the national courts; initiates and undertakes public interest litigation on human rights and constitutional matters before the High Court and Supreme Court of The Gambia; and also engage in capacity building workshops and community awareness creation with the prime objectives to encourage citizens’ participation in the democratization process, public debates on national issues, freedom of expression and divergence while pushing the human rights and good governance agenda forward.”
