The National Human Rights Commission celebrated International Human Rights Day by hosting the annual Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Moot Court competition at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo on December 10, 2023. The competition, themed 'Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights', saw the University of Obafemi Awolowo from Nigeria emerge as champions, defeating seven other universities including the University of Lagos, which came in second. Akinwumi Akinyemi and Damilola Ekundayo from the winning university received a cash prize and a plaque, while runners-up Jadesola Shodimu and Ayotunde Abiodum were also awarded. The moot court, named after The Gambia's first President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, aims to expose law students to human rights law and litigation.

A report presented by Gambian lawmakers to the ECOWAS Parliament claimed significant achievements in press freedom under the Barrow administration, stating no journalist was tortured, imprisoned, or any media house closed or burnt since 2016. However, this claim is contradicted by several incidents. In January 2020, two journalists were arrested and two media houses closed during a protest. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority also threatened punitive action against media houses in 2021, which was later retracted after advocacy pushback. Additionally, there were reports of a journalist being assaulted by a presidential photographer and another by a prison warden, with no subsequent investigations. These incidents, detailed in the Gambia Press Union's reports, demonstrate that the claim made by the lawmakers is false.

A report presented by Gambian lawmakers to the ECOWAS Parliament claimed significant achievements in press freedom under the Barrow administration, stating no journalist was tortured, imprisoned, or any media house closed or burnt since 2016. However, this claim is contradicted by several incidents. In January 2020, two journalists were arrested and two media houses closed during a protest. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority also threatened punitive action against media houses in 2021, which was later retracted after advocacy pushback. Additionally, there were reports of a journalist being assaulted by a presidential photographer and another by a prison warden, with no subsequent investigations. These incidents, detailed in the Gambia Press Union's reports, demonstrate that the claim made by the lawmakers is false.

The article by Edrissa Jallow discusses the ongoing challenges in The Gambia regarding the right to peaceful assembly and protest, in the context of the Public Order Act and the aftermath of the April 10th and 11th 2000 Student Demonstration. It highlights the government's reluctance to issue protest permits, despite the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission's (TRRC) recommendations to review the Public Order Act to align with international human rights standards. The article includes interviews with survivors of the 2000 massacre, political actors, and members of civil society organizations. It also covers the government's response to the TRRC's recommendations, including the proposed prosecution of former President Yahya Jammeh and other officials. The piece touches on the sexual assault of a student during the 2000 protests and the impact of such events on victims' lives. The article concludes with insights from political party representatives on the need to review the Public Order Act.

Senegal's President Macky Sall has declared three days of national mourning following a tragic bus crash that resulted in over thirty-nine fatalities. The accident, which is considered one of the deadliest in Senegal's recent history, occurred in Gniby, near Kaffrine. The crash happened when a bus tire burst, causing it to collide with an oncoming bus. President Sall expressed his condolences on social media and announced that an inter-ministerial council will convene to discuss road safety and public passenger transport measures. The national mourning period is from 9th to 11th January 2022. International organizations and local officials, including opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, have also expressed their sorrow over the incident.

Family members of children who died from Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) due to contaminated drugs confronted Gambia's Health Minister, Hon Ahamdou Lamin Samateh, outside Parliament on 26th October 2022. The Health Minister, who had just delivered a speech, attempted to console the grieving families. The incident was reported by Gainako. During the Minister's speech, condolences were paid to the families, and a minute's silence was observed. Additionally, a leaked letter revealed that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs allocated One Million Dalasis for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare to visit the families of the AKI victims. This followed instructions from the Office of the President, which also issued a statement about the delegation's visit to the bereaved families.

The Gambia's Health Minister, Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, announced the death toll from Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) has risen to 69 children. The World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a global alert for four substandard syrup medicines manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, which are linked to the deaths. The syrups were distributed in The Gambia and possibly through informal markets to other regions. The Indian government stated these drugs were only licensed for export and not sold domestically. The Gambia's Medicines Control Agency (MCA) admitted to not having regional inspectors but conducts quarterly inspections. President Adama Barrow ordered the suspension of all licenses of suspected importers and pharmacies, and the Gambia Police Force is conducting investigations. Maiden Pharmaceuticals has a history of producing poor quality medicines, with previous incidents of deaths in India and abroad.