By Musa Saho
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) with support from the United Nations, through the Office of the Resident Coordinator and the OHCHR – WARO on Thursday, December 1st concluded a four-day training workshop on engagement with human rights mechanisms for key staff of the Human Right, Sexual and Gender Base Violence and Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Justice, at Metzy Residence in Kololi.
The goal of the training was to build the capacity of the MoJ, to integrate a human rights-based approach into the work of their units by integrating a better comprehension on the dynamics of the international human rights system and the reporting obligations of the State.
Furthermore, the training also aims to enhance the competencies of the participants to increase effectiveness of State’s engagement with human rights mechanisms, and for a better understanding of their roles and functions.
After the conclusion of the training, Mr. Kissima Bittaye, a participant, said he has gained some knowledge and recognises his role in Gambia’s engagement with human rights mechanisms.
He said the participants will now be able to draft a comprehensive Terms of Reference for the Human Rights Units, in accordance with the state’s reporting obligations; have ability to explain how to integrate the dynamics of both international and regional mechanisms in their respective works and also analyse and adapt their responsiveness to international, regional and national human rights norms, standards and mechanisms.
