About NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a permanent and independent institution established by an Act of National Assembly in 2017 to protect and promote human rights in The Gambia.

Within its broad mandate to promote and protect human rights, the Commission serves the general public by:

• monitoring, receiving, investigating, and considering complaints of human rights violations; recommending appropriate remedial action to the Government; seeking appropriate redress on behalf of victims;
• nurturing a culture of respect for human rights through public education and awareness creation; and
• supporting the Government in formulating appropriate policies and laws to guarantee human rights.

The NHRC comprises of five Commissioners with diverse background and expertise ranging from fundamental human rights and freedoms to constitutional and international law, social justice and child protection.

The Commission’s broad mandate of promotion and protection facilitates its core functions through the following:

• Education and awareness creation; and
• Research/investigation and monitoring.

The NHRC seeks to boost human rights standards in The Gambia and to nurture a culture of respect for rights and freedoms guaranteed by the rule of law. This is done through capacity building and awareness creation of law enforcement, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and communities using:

• Online platforms and print media – social media (twitter, facebook and youtube), TV, radio, newspaper, etc
• Training, conferences, seminars and press briefings.
• Outreach programmes to rural communities, regional government offices and CSOs.
• Publishes guidelines and manuals for a better understanding of rights, duties and obligations of all.

• conducts research to support The Gambia in developing standard operating procedures and best practice guidelines on human rights.
• Monitors observance and compliance of State institutions to its obligations under national and international human rights law.
• Conducts investigations into violations of human rights
• Supports to the review and/or formulation of policies or legislation that seek to improve human rights standards.

The Commission has set up a legal and investigations unit to effectively address issues of human rights violations and supports complainants in seeking clarification and/or redress.

The NHRC of The Gambia has the prerogative to:

• receive and hear complaints from the public on human rights violations,
• recommend appropriate remedial actions to the Government and seeks appropriate remedial actions on behalf of victims,
• reserves the right to investigate suspected cases of human rights violations and to report to the Government and all relevant institutions on any such investigations; and
• can summon any person, official or authority to appear before it. Such individuals or authorities can be:

The Commission does not have the power to investigate:

• any human rights violation which occurred before the coming into effect of 2017 National Human Rights Act, unless that violation is a continuing infringement.
• A matter between the Government of The Gambia and another government or International Organization.
• A case where the President is exercising his or her right to prerogative mercy, such as, giving pardon to a convict.