Gambia News : Foroyaa editor underscores need for greater commitment to human rights issues
Dec 23,2009 00:00
by
Anna
Mr. Sam Sarr, the editor in chief of Foroyaa Newspaper has said there is need for greater commitment to human right issues by the three organs of government: the Judiciary, Executive and the Legislature.He also called on the civil society including media practitioners to be more committed in protecting and safeguarding human rights and also to act independently and judiciously to enable a vibrant environment for the safety of the people.
Mr. Sarr made these comments on Monday while delivering a keynote address at a week-long training for journalists on Human Rights issues organized by the Network for Human Rights Journalists, funded by the United State Embassy in The Gambia. The programme is currently underway at the office of The Gambia Press Union along Garba Jahumpa Road in Bakau.
According to Mr. Sarr, more emphasis need to be put in place to ensure that justice is well rooted without any fear or favour, affection or ill will that will build more confidence on the judiciary, which he described as public trustees which should serve public interests as expected of them.
He also said that the executive arm of the government should respect the fundamental rights of people. Such an atmosphere, he noted, would create opportunities for journalists, politicians and critics to express their opinion and also to disseminate information freely. According to him, the absence of such an environment could make all efforts at protecting and safeguarding human rights to go futile.
He also asked the organs of government and the various institutions concerned on human rights to harmoniously work together towards common good. He said media practitioners should also play their role of disseminating correct information and mass education to the best of their abilities.
Democracy is incomplete where human rights and the fundamental rights of the people is not respected, said Sarr, noting that it is incumbent upon everybody to meaningfully contribute to human rights protection, as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights.
Also speaking, Mr. Musa Sheriff, coordinator of the Network of Human Rights Journalists said the organization is a non political, non governmental and non- profit making charitable association of journalists committed to promoting and protecting human and people rights as guaranteed in the 1997 constitution of The Gambia.
According to him, the association’s vision is to ensure a human rights friendly world by restoring and maintaining a vibrant and independent press operation in a democratic and free society. He said this can only be achieved through embarking on promotional campaigns and mass media advocacy programmes and activities.
He also noted that by considering the numerous challenges confronting the society’s development activities, the Network solicited support from the American Embassy for the establishment of a secretariat and training of its members to enable them play more proactive role in promoting human rights and freedom of expression.