(JollofNews) – A few hours after delivering his maiden speech at the United Nations’ General Assembly, New York, President Adama Barrow of the Gambia has signed a treaty for the abolition of the death penalty as part of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The president also signed the treaty on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-Based Investor-State Arbitration and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
“By signing of the treaties, the New Gambia continues to promote democracy and show the commitment of the state to protect lives of political activists,” a communique from the president’s office stated.
“This will remove fear and promote rule of law for citizens to express their civil and political rights. The signing is a commitment of member states of the United Nations to prohibit execution and totally abolish the death penalty.”
The Gambia is one of the countries with high migration rate but also receives immigrants from other African countries, thus the importance of protecting the dignity of all migrants. It agrees to protect the human rights of migrant workers and families.
During regime of former President Yahya Jammeh, Gambians were subjected to forced disappearance.
The president’s office said it is commendable for the Gambia to agree to prevent forced disappearance defined in international law not only at home but throughout the UN member states.
It added: “Setting international rules for investor-state arbitration is strategic as the world is increasingly dependent on investment for development of communities. Consent to apply the sets of rules on transparency in treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration will provide mechanism for recording such agreement and shall come into force as of 18th October 2017. It intends to minimise criminal acts and economic exploitation.
“The Gambia intends to prevent mass destruction of human life and property to promote peaceful co-existence in the world. The signing of the treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, or the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty will strengthen that commitment.
“The Gambia will now work to move from signing, to ratification and domestication of the signed treaties, to make them effectively in the country.”
Meanwhile, in separate engagements, President Barrow continued to hold meetings and network with his colleagues and investors.
On Wednesday morning, along with other invited heads of states, President Barrow attended a business meeting with Bloomberg at the Plaza Hotel in New York.
He also held a private meeting with the prime minister of Belgium and the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda.
During the meeting, Ms Bensouda gave an overview of her organisation’s work and called for support from African countries to understand the Rome Statues.
True statesmanship and signs of actions of true democracy. Long awaited. Actions speak louder than words. Perhaps the talking is over and the action is about to begin.
Alhamdulilah rabilalameen, Alhamdulilah rabilalameen n Alhamdulilah rabilalameen,
Allah is the greatest!!!
To the extent that the Abolition of the Death Penalty and the Immigration and Refugee Protocols and Treaties that were signed by President Adama Barrow are Debated, Voted on by the NAMS and Ratified by a Plurality of the NAMS, the exercise is worth the time and effort. It is another Giant Step toward the respect and recognition of the Sanctity of Life in the Gambia. To the extent that it is not Ratified either due to the Lack of Will to Table it or bring it before the NAMS for the required Parliamentary Process, the Gambia and Gambians would be Stagnant in their Collective journey toward a More Moral and Humanitarian and Human Life Value Based Society. To the extent that they are Tabled or brought to the NAMS but not Supported by some NAMS without the requisite Parliamentary Process, and the Protocols and Treaties are reject, it would or Should be a Signal that the Fragile and budding Democractic Dispensation is even more Fragile than we realize or appreciate. I have a feeling that critics of the Loyal Opposition may not see the Significance of these Protocols and Treaties, especially, given the daunting task of Personal and State Security issues, the need to Stabilize the Economy and Fast track Socio-economic and Infrastructural development. However, let us be Mindful of our Intra and International Commitments. They mean or should mean something and therefore, be Honored as long as doing so does not harm the Gambia or Gambians or create undue burden to the Unity and Peaceful Co-exitence between all Gambians and others within the Gambia. I have always been Suspicious of the Death Penalty’s ability to Prevent anti-social behavior such as Murder or Genocide. I am on the other hand, convinced that it is a “Specific Deterrence”. Meaning, the Death Penalty is very successful in making an end to the Individual Killer and thus, eliminate that Specific threat to Society. In this later context, given the Level of threat that “Reasonable” People can agree on that, a specific Act by a Specific person constitutes a threat to Social order and Individual liberty, in such Circumstances and after going through Due Process Consistent with the Law, an exception may be made. As a Social or Psychological instrument for Social Control, the Death Penalty has failed Royally over the Centuries. Kings and Queens applied various Death Penalty’s on more “Criminals” or Murderers than any modern day Tyrants have, yet Murder and “Treason” are as Present among us as it was during Biblical Times. I find the Death Penalty repugnant on Religious grounds too. However, that is between me and my Religious believe. Therefore, I shall not go into that Domain. A leader of a household, family or country Should not be judged by how he treats the Rich and the Powerful but how he treats the Resource Challenged or Poor, the Orphan and the Refugee. For as the saying goes, “For Whom the Bells Toll. They may Toll for The”. With Humility comes Compassion, Empathy and High regard for Life. The reverse may be the result of the absence of these qualities that a leader Should have. President Adama Barrow laid the Down some Markers toward a Democractic Dispensation. Now the Gambians must Task themselves and make a Down Payment for the building of the Forth for Representative Democracy by Demanding all Three Branches of Government to Dedicate themselves to the Implementation of the Salient Agenda and Ideas in President Adama Barrow’s Speech at the United Nations as well as Implement the Abolution of Death Penalty, and the Immigration and Refugee Protocols and Treaties signed in New York. It needs to be done in a manner consistent with the Constitution. Where needed, the Constitution Should be Amended to embrace the Agenda, Protocols and Treaties.