Chapter 2: April 10 and 11 2000 Student Demonstration - User Friendly Summary Gov. White Paper

We honor the memory of the fallen and shine a light on the unheeded cries for justice in a pivotal moment of The Gambia's history—the student protest of April 10 and 11, 2000. Our discussion exposes the harrowing crackdown that led to 12 lost lives and countless injuries, all in the wake of peaceful demands for accountability over the death and assault of young students by state security agents. The recent findings from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) are at the forefront of our conversation, as we consider the government's acceptance of the commission's recommendations for justice and reform.

As we navigate through the TRRC's crucial proposals, we uncover the layers of accountability that need to be addressed, from the prosecution of officials, including the former president, to the pressing need for improved security force training in crowd control. We also evaluate the designated institutions like the National Youth Council and Ministry of Education, tasked with breathing life into these recommendations by 2027. This episode is dedicated to reflecting on the past to safeguard the future, ensuring that the voices of The Gambia's youth are heard and that a tragedy of this magnitude never repeats itself.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:12

Chapter 2 Student Demonstration TRRC Findings. What Happened? On April 10, 2011,? The Gambia Student Union initiated a demonstration against the government of Yayajami in response to the physical assault and later death of a 15-year-old, ibrahima Bari, and a subsequent rape of Bintamane of Brikama Baropa Basic and Senior Secondary School by state security agents by state security agents. Following those two incidents and the state's failure to address the human rights violations meted out to these teenage students, the then Student Union, gamsu, called for a national peaceful demonstration, which resulted in the deployment of state security agents by the government, and this subsequently led to the violent repression to the demonstration. The event left 12 students dead and dozens seriously wounded. When did it happen? April 10th and 11th 2000. Who are the perpetrators? The then government of Yaya Jame, through the state security forces, police intervention units, pau and the Gambia National Army. Trrc recommendation andation and Government Position. What is recommended?

Speaker 2: 1:29

The TRRC recommends and the government accepts the following 1. Prosecution of some public and security officials, starting with the former president and vice president. 2. Dismissal from office for some public and security officials. 3. Ban on holding public office for some public and security officials. 4. Provide proper training to security forces on matters relating to crowd control and management of violent demonstrations and riot. 5. Board Ministry of basic and ministry of higher education to set up a structure or process to enable them, with student bodies, annually, to discuss matters affecting students. Six, government to set up a mechanism or channel of communication to deal with student complaints on timely and effective basis. Seven, government to establish funds for victims rehabilitation and medical support. And finally, april 10 and 11 declared a school holiday. When is the recommendations implementation period From 2025 to 2027. Which institutions are responsible for the implementation of these recommendations? Education, ministry of Higher Education, national Center for Arts and Culture, national Youth Council, national Center for Civic Education.

Speaker 1: 3:23

Thank you.