The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice has released its Human Rights Incident Report covering January to June 2026. The report documents and analyses 17 incidents raising serious concerns about the protection of human rights, public safety, access to justice and institutional accountability in The Gambia.
The documented incidents include alleged arbitrary arrests, police brutality, restrictions on peaceful assembly, child abuse, rape, fatal interpersonal violence, unexplained deaths, road traffic fatalities, fire outbreaks, and unsafe migration. Six of the incidents occurred in June and five in May, while at least nine involved death, serious injury, or grave threats to life and physical integrity.
Of particular concern are the re-arrest of Ousainou and Amie Bojang immediately after their acquittal and release by the High Court, the arrest of members of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) during their 8 May commemoration at Westfield, and the alleged excessive force used against GALA member, Alieu Bah. These incidents raise fundamental questions about respect for judicial authority, personal liberty, peaceful assembly, physical integrity, and accountability within the security services.
The report also highlights the alleged abuse of a child in Tujereng and the alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl in the Coastal Road area. These cases demonstrate the urgent need for stronger child-protection systems, survivor-centred medical and psychosocial services, prompt investigations, and child-sensitive justice.
The deaths and serious injuries arising from violent attacks and road crashes equally demand urgent action. Every death must be promptly, independently, and effectively investigated. Victims and their families have a right to truth, justice, protection, and timely information about the outcome of investigations.
While this report does not represent an exhaustive record of every human rights incident in the country, the cases documented reveal recurring weaknesses in prevention, protection, investigation, accountability, and institutional transparency.
EFSCRJ therefore calls on:
- The Government to strengthen human rights protection, road safety, child protection, emergency response, and victim-support systems.
- The Gambia Police Force to ensure that every arrest has a lawful basis and that the policing of peaceful assemblies complies with the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality.
- The National Human Rights Commission to independently investigate and publicly report on allegations of arbitrary arrest and excessive police force.
- The Department of Social Welfare and health authorities to provide confidential, survivor-centred protection and support to children affected by abuse and sexual violence.
- Relevant authorities to publish timely updates on ongoing investigations, prosecutions, inquests, and institutional responses to the documented incidents.
Human rights protection cannot end with arrests and official announcements. It requires prevention, professional investigations, protection of victims and witnesses, fair trials, effective remedies, and accountability for every perpetrator, including state officials.
EFSCRJ will continue to monitor these incidents and hold responsible institutions accountable. The life, dignity, liberty, and safety of every person must remain at the centre of governance.
2026 – The Year of Empowerment: Empowered Citizens. Accountable Leadership
