National Human Rights Commission of The Gambia
NHRC
Summary
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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.