The Reparation Commission (RC), with facilitation support from the WAVE Gambia

The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts to ensure the voices of survivors and relatives of victims are meaningfully included in transitional justice processes, particularly those involving international victims. The Ghana 44 case, which involved the unlawful killing of 44 West African migrants mostly Ghanaians remains one of the most painful chapters in The Gambia’s human rights history.

During the meeting, the children of the victims shared their personal experiences, the impact of the loss on their families, and the long-standing silence and trauma they have endured over the past two decades. They also raised concerns about the lack of reparations and meaningful redress for them.

The discussion primarily focused on the urgent need for reparations and justice for the Ghanaian victims and their families. Participants emphasized that reparations should go beyond financial compensation and include public acknowledgment, formal apologies, and support services for surviving family members, especially children who were left behind and have struggled without their loved ones.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for full implementation of the TRRC’s recommendations, including the specific call for reparations for foreign victims of human rights violations. The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that justice must be inclusive and that no victim regardless of nationality should be left behind in The Gambia’s transitional justice journey.