Oumie Jagne, a victim of April 10 and 11 student protest in 2000, said the Government has failed to provide them with air tickets to Turkey after they have been given a visa and offer of free treatment in Turkey.
Oumie Jagne, a young Gambian girl shot on his hand during the student protest in 2000, has criticized the government for failing to ensure justice for the victims.
Oumie Jagne was living in Kanifing in 2000. She still carries fragments of bullet in her hand, she told the Truth Commission on Wednesday.
The 2000 student protest was prompted by the killing of Ebrima Barry and the raping of Binta Manneh, allegedly by members of the security forces. Binta was a 15-year old student from Brikama Ba who was reportedly raped by a paramilitary officer near the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
And Ebrima was a student from Brikama who was reportedly beaten to death by members of the Gambia Fire and Rescue Services. No one was held responsible or punished for both crimes. On April 10 and 11, angry students took to the street demanding justice for Binta and Ebrima.
Fourteen students were killed and dozens were injured including Jagne. “Before we sit before the TRRC, I think we should have ensured justice first…,” said Jagne.
Jange told the Commission that the victims of 2000 students protest have marched to the office of the Justice Minister and handed him a petition demanding that Government implement the recommendation of the inquiry into the student protest.
That inquiry has indicted several senior security officers and recommended them for prosecution. But administration of Yahya Jammeh instead enacted a law indemnifying the security officers who shot the students.
“Adama Barrow has failed us… The Government has not said anything about us so far. Justice is what we want,” said Jagne.
Medical treatment
Several victims of the April 2000 protest were injured with gunshot wounds. Four of them are critically injured and were recommended for treatment abroad including Jagne.
Since 2017, the Turkish embassy has offered free treatment and visas to the victims but Government claimed it has no money. The Gambia Ports Authority has paid for the tickets for 3 of the victims, leaving 2 including their escort without a ticket.
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