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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 52663, member: 636"]
The Ministry of Justice and Gambia Bar Association held discussions on July 11 about the Special Tribunal establishment. Legal experts and civil society representatives attended the stakeholder meeting focused on the ECOWAS Decision and Statute. The Special Accountability Mechanism addresses human rights violations from July 1994 through January 2017. Participants examined the legal framework for prosecuting crimes identified by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. Bar Association President Neneh MC Cham emphasized accountability for documented violations.

Ida Persson from the Attorney General's office outlined the three-part structure of the mechanism. The Special Prosecutor's Office handles investigations while the Special Criminal Division manages domestic cases. The Special Tribunal addresses international crimes from the authoritarian period. National Assembly approval came in April 2024 for related legislation. ECOWAS Authority passed the tribunal statute in December 2024.

International consultant Martin Petrov led statute analysis during the meeting. He highlighted the tribunal's independence and regional significance for transitional justice. Participants addressed victim participation, witness protection, and resource needs. The mechanism targets those responsible for enforced disappearances and torture. International observers monitor these developments as Gambia leads regional accountability efforts.
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