NYC calls protest law a source of confusion, misunderstanding and chaos

The National Youth Council (NYC) has said it is evident that the current statute regulating protest is a source of confusion, misunderstanding and chaos.

“By every indication, this law has failed to serve any good purpose and its application seems to remind Gambians of the darkest days of our history,” said the youth council.

These remarks were contained in a press release issued by the NYC following reports of death of one Ousman Darboe, 33-year-old young man on Tuesday, 23rd July 2019 which resulted in protest in Serrekunda in the Kanifing Municipality.

A similar protest was also took place in Brikama, West Coast Region where a group of citizens who were not happy with what they termed as the ineptness of the Brikama Area Council in their service delivery as a local government.

The youth council called on youth to exercise restraint and repose faith in the criminal justice system of the country.

The NYC told the youth: “We constitute a critical element of the Gambia society and it is in our collective interest to promote the rule of law at all times,” advising them to resist provocation and avoid all form of violence in the exercise of our constitutional rights and to always remember that as citizens, they are equally duty bearers.

According the council, reports suggested that Mr. Darboe was at a point arrested, detained, and subsequently released on bail by the Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force.

“The council and by extension the entire youth of The Gambia wish to extend our regret and heartfelt condolence to the family of Ousman Darboe and pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace.”

NYC assured the bereaved family of their unconditional solidarity to pursue justice for Mr. Darboe using all available legal means, praying for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the awake of the protest in Brikama and Serekunda.

“The lost of life, injury and damage to property of citizens are indeed regrettable.”

It stated that public institutions like Brikama Area Council among others should also remember that they are elected representatives of the people and should be willing to engage and communicate with concern citizens to avert aggravated situations or confrontations.

The council also called on Government to conduct thorough, inclusive and impartial investigations into the circumstances resulting in these unfortunate incidents and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice and also come up with tangible measures to avoid reoccurrence of such.

It reminded government of the need to urgently review the existing laws regarding protest and make them democratically friendly sufficient to guarantee the enjoyment of the fundamental rights of citizens to peaceful assemblies, speech and movement as envisage by the 1997 constitutions.

The council opined that the lessons learnt from these incidents should be use to serve as reminder to all stakeholders about the need to urgently address the root causes of crime including unemployment, and underemployment and exclusion.

The Monitor

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