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The president said his government had undertaken major legal reforms since 2017.
“Our efforts include the introduction of a new constitution, and we remain committed to that goal this year. Hopefully, a referendum on the new constitution will be held in December 2024,” he said.
He also said the Ministry of Justice has been acting on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, particularly by drafting the Special Accountability Mechanism Bill and the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill.
“These bills are part of a wider strategy to establish a hybrid court in partnership with ECOWAS. This court will apply both domestic and international law to deal with the cases of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” he explained.
He said the establishment of the Special Criminal Chamber of the High Court, composed of distinguished Gambian judges, marked a major step towards the “fair and effective” trial of TRC-related cases.
He said one of the legislations enacted in 2023 was the Anti-Corruption Bill, adding: “In addition to a strong framework criminalising corrupt practices, dedicated anti-corruption agencies have been strengthened to effectively enforce anti-corruption laws.”
He also said that a Victims Compensation Bill had been enacted to provide compensation to victims of human rights violations by the previous regime.
Barrow stressed that in order to ensure the integrity and accountability of the government, the government enacted the Public Office Prohibition Act to prevent individuals convicted of corruption or related crimes from holding public office.
He said: “The Former Presidents Act has also been enacted, recognising the contributions of the country’s former leaders. The Act provides them with a dignified post-presidential life while taking into account the interests of the Gambian people.
“Another legislation is the Commission of Inquiry (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure fairness and accountability of the government.”
The President further said that there are several other bills under consideration, saying: “These include the Criminal Offences Bill and the Criminal Procedure Code Bill; both of which are crucial to building a more transparent and accountable society.”
He also reiterated to the nation: “As we continue to strengthen our legal and judicial systems, my government remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all Gambians.”
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