SOURCE: All Africa
The executive director of the Institution for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) said his institution is a Pan-African international organisation working to promote awareness of human rights in Africa and improving the effectiveness of African human rights system.

Gaye Sowe made this remark at a training workshop funded by the British Embassy in The Gambia, for Gambian law enforcement agencies, held at a local hotel in Kololi. The training, he said was conceived by IHRDA as a way to expose the gallant officers of various agencies to the numerous human rights obligations contained in national laws and in the several regional and international agreements they are a party to.

He stated that it is an effort to ensure that officers are aware that there are human rights standards that they have to abide by in the course of their duties to the public and that the IHRDA envisions an African continent where all have access to justice through national, continental and international human rights mechanisms.

Sowe explained that their work can be summarised in three words: to defend, educate and inform. He expressed optimism that the training would introduce the officers to basic human rights concepts.
For his part, Momodou Sowe, the deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP), said the training is an indication to the force members and the wider community that progress is being made with regards to bridging the gap that exists between the police and the members of the public.

He indicated that the training would undoubtedly strengthen the understanding of the agents on human rights issues and consequently their compliance with human right laws, while executing their duties properly. In that regard, Sowe went on, it would play a crucial part towards the achievement of the overall goal of being reckoned not only for adhering to human rights laws but promoting them as well.

Collin Crorkin, the British ambassador to The Gambia, spoke at length on the importance of the training and urged the participants to make best use of the training.