Magistrate Thomas Touray has become the first judicial officer under President Adama Barrow’s administration to sentence young Gambians to Mile 2 Prison solely for exercising their right to protest. The decision has sparked outrage among civil society activists and rights defenders, who view it as a step backwards for democratic freedoms in the country.
According to observers, the protesters were detained after participating in a peaceful demonstration, raising concerns about the government’s tolerance for dissent. Critics argue that imprisoning youths for voicing their grievances undermines the spirit of the 2016 transition, which promised greater respect for human rights and political freedoms.
Rights organizations have pointed out that freedom of assembly and expression are guaranteed under both the Gambian Constitution and international human rights conventions to which The Gambia is a signatory. They warn that criminalizing protest risks discouraging civic participation and eroding public trust in the justice system.
As the country continues to grapple with questions of justice and accountability, Magistrate Touray’s ruling is being seen as a defining moment in the Barrow era — one that may set a troubling precedent for the treatment of dissent in The Gambia.
Let’s make him famous.
By Kebba Cledor Jammeh
