Gambia Appoints British Barrister to Prosecute Jammeh-Era Crimes
The Gambia has appointed British barrister Martin Hackett as its first special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses committed during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh. Hackett will lead a newly established office tasked with addressing cases characterized by enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and widespread repression that ended when Jammeh went into exile in 2017. This appointment follows the final report of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which documented atrocities and recommended prosecutions for those most responsible, including the 2004 killing of journalist Deyda Hydara and the execution of over 50 migrants. While some perpetrators have been convicted abroad under universal jurisdiction, this move marks a significant step toward domestic accountability. The TRRC has also begun phased compensation payments, though many victims prioritize legal justice over financial reparations.
Wire timeline
Gambia Appoints British Barrister to Prosecute Jammeh-Era Crimes
The Gambia has appointed British barrister Martin Hackett as its first special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses committed during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh. Hackett will lead a newly established office tasked with addressing cases characterized by enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and widespread repression that ended when Jammeh went into exile in 2017. This appointment follows the final report of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which documented atrocities and recommended prosecutions for those most responsible, including the 2004 killing of journalist Deyda Hydara and the execution of over 50 migrants. While some perpetrators have been convicted abroad under universal jurisdiction, this move marks a significant step toward domestic accountability. The TRRC has also begun phased compensation payments, though many victims prioritize legal justice over financial reparations.
BBC News