BANJUL, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN humanitarian body urged the Gambian authorities here on Tuesday to prosecute crimes committed under former president Yahya Jammeh to make a better transition in the country.
The West Africa Representative of the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), Andrea Ori, said at the opening of a international human rights conference held by the Gambian government that UNHCR does not tolerate amnesty for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other gross violations of human rights.
"Let me also recall that amnesties can undermine a State's obligation to investigate and prosecute crimes. According to international law and UN policy, amnesties are unacceptable if they prevent the prosecution of individuals who are criminally responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other gross violations of human rights," he said.
He advised that during the establishment of transitional justice processes, it is particularly important that the country fulfills its duty to undertake effective investigations and prosecutions of violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The three-day conference is expected to serve as the basis for the reforms of the country's laws and institutions.
The Gambian government has promised to set up a Truth and Reconciliation Committee to look into the atrocities of the former government headed by Jammeh, who stepped down in January after losing the presidential election and left the country.
