Gambiaj.com – (WASHINGTON) – The U.S Department of State has released its 2023 Human Rights Report on The Gambia, highlighting that there were no significant changes in the human rights situation in the country during the year. The report, which provides an overview of the human rights landscape, points out several key issues.

Prison Conditions

The report notes that prison conditions in The Gambia remain harsh and life-threatening due to food shortages, overcrowding, lack of medical care, and poor sanitary conditions. The Mile 2 Prison in Banjul, in particular, faced problems of gross overcrowding, inadequate food and water, poor sanitation, and insufficient medical care.

Gender-Based Violence

The report highlights extensive gender-based violence in The Gambia, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child, early, and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation/cutting. Despite laws criminalizing these practices, enforcement was rare.

Corruption

The report mentions serious government corruption, with numerous allegations of misuse of public funds by government officials in various institutions. Several officials were charged with corruption-related offenses during the year.

Freedom of Expression

The report acknowledges that the constitution and law in The Gambia provide for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media. However, there were instances of arrests and charges related to antigovernment statements made on social media, indicating some limitations on this freedom.

Labor Rights

The report raises concerns about labor rights in The Gambia, noting that the minimum wage in several sectors was below the national poverty level. Violations of wage, hour, and overtime laws were common, particularly in the informal sector.

The report also discusses issues related to arbitrary arrest or detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, child labor, discrimination, and acceptable conditions of work.

Despite these challenges, the report acknowledges that the government took credible steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses. It also highlights the role of domestic and international human rights groups in monitoring and investigating human rights conditions in the country.

Overall, the 2023 Human Rights Report on The Gambia provides a comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in the country, highlighting both progress made and areas that require further attention and improvement.