EFSCRJ hereby releases its Human Rights Monitoring Report on Police Conduct During GALA’s First Anniversary Commemoration held between 8 – 11 May 2026.
The report documents and analyzes the conduct of the Gambia Police Force during the denial of access to the Youth Monument, arrests of GALA members, detention conditions, use of force, deployment of heavily armed and masked officers, and restrictions on public access to court proceedings.
Our findings raise serious concerns regarding violations of constitutional rights, democratic policing standards, the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, and regional and international human rights obligations. The report highlights growing concerns over shrinking civic space, intimidation of activists, selective policing, and the continued weaponization of laws and institutions against citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
EFSCRJ urges the Government, the Gambia Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society, and all stakeholders to review the findings and recommendations contained in the report and take urgent measures to ensure accountability, strengthen democratic policing, protect civic space, and uphold the rule of law.
Ten years after Gambians declared “Never Again,” the protection of rights and freedoms must remain a national priority.
Download and read the Report on our website:
https://efscrj.org/efscrj-report-on-police-conduct-during-gala-first-anniversary-commemoration
