CRC Chairman: The constitution designed for full participation and inclusiveness

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By SULAYMAN WAAN

Justice Chernor Sulayman Jallow, chairman of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) of The Gambia has said that the constitution is designed to ensure full participation and inclusiveness.

“We wanted to make sure that Gambians become part of the process,” he noted.

Speaking to participants during public consultation in Banjul, Jallow added that the consultation is meant to engage the people on the draft constitution so as to get their views.

He said when the commission embarked on a nationwide tour during the first phase tour the commission promised Gambians that they would re-consult the public if the constitution is drafted in order to hear the public’s opinions.

Justice Jallow stated that the commission has drafted the constitution and now making facing the public so as to get complete opinion regarding the draft instrument.

“We have completed it to see complete opinions. The draft constitution is not final. It would be very helpful if you can share your opinions on the instruments in term of what you consider should actually be included or express opinion to assist us to finalize the constitution,” he posited.

Justice Jallow called on Gambians to read the draft constitution carefully so as to understand it to ensure they contribute constructively during the consultation process.

“If you think something is there (in the constitution) and you think it should not be there tell us why. That will help us to finalize the constitution,” he emphasized.

The legal expert said not every opinion will be captured in the upcoming constitution, but he was quick to add that the commission will explain matters that were raised and not indicated in the constitution.

Disappointed with Banjul
Omar B.J. Touray, deputy mayor of Banjul expressed his disappointment with Banjul residents for their poor turnout in the consultation while describing it as embarrassing.

“We informed all those who supposed to know about the event. We have been planning this activity ever since, therefore, this ground should have been filled,” he said.

Touray said the poor attendance should have not happen as the constitution is most important thing for Gambians.

“This is the activity that we would utilize for many years. Therefore, we should value it very well. We should differentiate between something valuable and valueless,” he said.

Mr. Touray expressed gratitude to CRC for it tremendous work for Gambians.

Citizen and marriage
Deputy Mayor, Omar B.J. Touray challenged the draft constitution on citizenship for indicating that if two foreign nationals (husband and wife) have a child in the country he or she would be given citizenship.

He suggested for that provision to be revised. He defended that if that happens many foreign couple will like to come to The Gambia so that their children get her citizenship.

Chernor Jallow, a participant, called on the commission to clarify the section of the constitution that indicated right to marriage.

He added that if that provision is not explained some may perceive same sex marriage as constitutional, adding if that happens problem could erupt in the country.

“It should be indicated as biological, man and woman instead of just saying a marriage between two people,” he opined.

Muhammed Jah, a dumb expressed delight on CRC for introducing sign language in the draft constitutions, saying this is a clear manifestation the disabled particularly the dumps are also considered.

The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) on Saturday commenced the second phase public consultation following the draft of a new constitution for the republic of The Gambia; held in Banjul.

The Constitutional Review Commission was established from an Act of Parliament in 2018 to review the 1997 constitution, after severe criticism from many Gambians both at home and abroad that the constitution was made to favour the former President Jammeh and his government.

Prior the reviewing process in 2018, CRC embarked on a nationwide consultation so as to know the laws that the public wanted to be modified as well as other new laws that need to put in place.

After the first consultation the commissions worked for eighteen months. And now it commenced the second consultation in order to get Gambians opinions on the draft constitution before finalizing the constitution.