National Human Rights Commission of The Gambia
NHRC
Summary
Established under NHRC Act 2017 (assented 13 January 2018), the Commission has five commissioners (at least two women) appointed by the President on recommendation of a multi-stakeholder selection panel comprising civil society, the Bar Association, and youth/disability/press bodies. Commissioners hold three-year renewable terms and are removable only for cause. The NHRC monitors prisons and police stations, receives complaints, and can launch own-motion investigations into police brutality — it initiated such an investigation in 2022 resulting in remedy and redress. Discipline authority is advisory; it refers findings to the relevant agency. The Commission is accredited under the Paris Principles.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 3 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | Yes |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- National Human Rights Commission Act, 2017 (Act No. 8 of 2017)
- Citation
- National Human Rights Commission Act 2017, ss. 7–21
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Receives and investigates human rights complaints against all public bodies including the Gambia Police Force and prison service; conducts monitoring visits to prisons, police stations, and detention facilities; may launch own-motion investigations; issues recommendations and annual State of Human Rights reports.