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CONSTITUTION OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
Adopted on 8 August 1996, entered into force in January 1997,
last amended in 2001
In the name of God, the Almighty,
We the people of The Gambia have accomplished a great and historic
task. We have had our say on how we should be governed. For this
Constitution contains our will and resolve for good governance and a
just, secure and prosperous society.
Our hopes and aspirations as a people were reflected in the
enthusiasm and zeal with which we embarked on the task of nation
building on the attainment of independence. The self-perpetuating rule
of the recent past, however, soon gave rise to the abuse of office and
related vices which negated the total welfare of the Gambian people.
The sovereign people of The Gambia therefore endorsed the change of
government on 22 July 1994 to rectify such evils.
This Constitution provides for us a fundamental law, which affirms our
commitment to freedom, justice, probity and accountability. It also
affirms the principle that all power emanate from the sovereign will of
the people.
The fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in this Constitution,
will ensure for all time respect for and observance of human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to ethnic
considerations, gender, language or religion. In acknowledging our
fundamental rights we also affirm our duties and responsibilities as
citizens of this country.
This Constitution guarantees participatory democracy that reflects the
undiluted choice of the people. The functions of the arms of
government have been clearly defined, their independence amply
secured with adequate checks and balances to ensure that they all work
harmoniously together toward our common good.
As we usher in the Second Republic and beyond, we give ourselves and
generations of Gambians yet unborn this Constitution as a beacon of
hope for peace and stability in our society and the good governance of
The Gambia for all time.
In this spirit, we continue to pledge our firm allegiance to our beloved
country and pray that the Great God of Nations will keep us all ever true
to The Gambia.
CHAPTER I: THE REPUBLIC
1. The Republic
(1) The Gambia is a sovereign secular Republic.
(2) The sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The
Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and
in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of
government are to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.
...
CHAPTER II: THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS
4. Supremacy of the Constitution
This Constitution is the supreme law of The Gambia and any other law
found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall, to
the extent of the inconsistency, be void.
5. Enforcement of the Constitution
(1)A person who alleges that –
(a) any act of the National Assembly or anything done under the
authority of an Act of the National Assembly; or
(b) any act or omission of any person or authority,
is inconsistent with or is in contravention of a provision of this
Constitution, may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction
for a declaration to that effect.
(2) The court may make orders and give directions as it may
consider appropriate for giving effect, or enabling effect to be given, to
such a declaration and any person to whom any order or direction is
addressed shall duly obey and carry out the terms of the order or
direction.
(3) The failure to obey or carry out any order made or direction
given under subsection (2) shall constitute the offence of violating the
Constitution and -
(a) shall in the case of the President or Vice-President, constitute a
ground for his or her removal from office in accordance with section 67;
and
(b) any other person who is convicted of that offence shall be liable
to the penalty prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
6. Defence of the Constitution
(1) Any person who –
(a) by himself or herself or in concert with others, by any violent or
other unlawful means, suspends or overthrows or abrogates this
Constitution or any part of it, or attempts to do any such act, or
(b) aids and abets in any manner any person referred to in
paragraph (a),
commits the offence of treason and shall, on conviction, be liable to
the penalty prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly for that
offence.
(2) All citizens of The Gambia have the right and the duty at all
times to defend this Constitution and, in particular, to resist, to the
extent reasonably justifiable in the circumstances, any person or group
of persons seeking or attempting by any violent or unlawful means to
suspend, overthrow or abrogate this Constitution or any part of it.
(3) A person who resists the suspension, overthrow or abrogation of
this Constitution as provided in subsection (2), commits no offence.
7. The laws of The Gambia
In addition to this Constitution, the laws of The Gambia consist of –
(a) Acts of the National Assembly made under this Constitution and
subsidiary legislation made under such acts;
(b) any Orders, Rules, Regulations or other subsidiary legislation
made by a person or authority under a power conferred by this
Constitution or any other law;
(c) the existing laws including all decrees passed by the Armed
Forces Provisional Ruling Council;
(d) the common law and principles of equity;
(e) customary law so far as it concerns members of the
communities to which it applies;
(f) the Shari’a as regards matters of marriage, divorce and
inheritance among members of the communities to which it applies.
…
CHAPTER IV: PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
17. Fundamental rights and freedoms
(1) The fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in this
Chapter shall be respected and upheld by all organs of the executive
and its agencies, the legislature and, where applicable to them, by all
natural and legal persons in The Gambia, and shall be enforceable by
the courts in accordance with this Constitution.
(2) Every person in The Gambia, whatever his or her race, colour,
gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, property, birth or other status, shall be entitled to the
fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual contained in
this Chapter, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of
others and for the public interest.
18. Protection of the right to life
(1) No person shall be deprived of his or her life intentionally,
except in the execution of a sentence of death imposed by a court of
competent jurisdiction in respect of a criminal offence for which the
penalty is death under the laws of The Gambia, as they have effect in
accordance with subsection (2), and of which he or she has been
lawfully convicted.
(2) As from the coming into force of this Constitution, no court in
The Gambia shall be competent to impose a sentence of death for any
offence unless the sentence is prescribed by law and the offence
involves violence, or the administration of any toxic substance,
resulting in the death of another person.
(3) The National Assembly shall within ten years from the date of
the coming into force of this Constitution review the desirability or
otherwise of the total abolition of the death penalty in The Gambia.
(4) Without prejudice to any liability for a contravention of any other
law with respect to the use of force in such cases as are hereinafter
mentioned, a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of
his or her life in contravention of this section if he or she dies as a
result of the use of force to such extent as is reasonably justifiable in
the circumstances of the case, that is to say -
(a) for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the
defence of property;
(b) in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a
person lawfully detained;
(c) for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny;
(d) in order to prevent the commission by that person of a criminal
offence; or
(e) if he or she dies as a result of a lawful act of war.
19. Protection of the right to personal liberty
(1) Every person shall have the right to liberty and security of the
person. No one shall be subject to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one
shall be deprived of his or her liberty except on such grounds and in
accordance with such procedures as established by law.
(2) Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed as
soon as is reasonably practicable and in any case within three hours, in
a language he or she understands, of the reasons for his or her arrest
or detention and of his or her right to consult a legal practitioner.
(3) Any person who is arrested or detained -
(a) for the purpose of bringing him or her before a court in
execution of the order of a court; or
(b) upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed, or
being about to commit, a criminal offence under the laws of The
Gambia, and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay
before a court and, in any event, within seventy-two hours.
(4) Where any person is brought before a court in execution of the
order of a court in any proceedings or upon suspicion of his or her
having committed or being about to commit an offence, he or she shall
not thereafter be further held in custody in connection with those
proceedings or that offence save upon the order of a court.
(5) Any person arrested or detained as mentioned in subsection (3)
(b) is not tried within a reasonable time, then without prejudice to any
further proceedings which may be brought against him or her, he or
she shall be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable
conditions, including, in particular, such conditions as are reasonably
necessary to ensure that he or she appears at a later date for trial or
proceedings preliminary to trial.
(6) Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained by any other
person shall be entitled to compensation from that other person or
from any other person or authority on whose behalf that other person
was acting.
20. Protection from slavery and forced labour
(1) No person shall be held in slavery or servitude.
(2) No person shall be required to perform forced labour.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the expression "forced labour"
does not include –
(a) any labour required in consequence of a sentence or order of a
court;
(b) labour required of any person while he or she is lawfully
detained that, though not required in consequence of the sentence or
order of the court, is reasonably necessary in the interests of hygiene
for the maintenance of the place in which he or she is detained;
(c) any labour required of a member of a defence force in
pursuance of his or her duties as such or, in the case of a person who
has conscientious objections to service as a member of any naval,
military or air force, any labour which that person is required by law to
perform in place of such service;
(d) any labour required during a period of public emergency or in
the event of any other emergency or calamity which threatens the life
or well-being of the community, to the extent that the requiring of such
labour is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation
arising or existing during that period or as a result of that other
emergency or calamity, for the purposes of dealing with that situation;
or
(e) any labour reasonably required as part of reasonable and
normal communal or other civic obligations.
21. Protection from inhuman treatment
No person shall be subject to torture or inhuman or degrading
punishment or other treatment.
22. Protection from deprivation of property
(1) No property of any description shall be taken possession of
compulsorily, and no right over or interest in any such property shall be
acquired compulsorily in any part of The Gambia, except where the
following conditions are satisfied -
(a) the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary in the
interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public
health, town and country planning, or the development or utilisation of
any property in such manner as to promote the public benefit;
(b) the necessity therefore is such as to afford reasonable
justification of the causing of any hardship that may result to any
person having an interest in or right over the property; and
(c) provision is made by law applicable to that taking of possession
or acquisition-
(i) for the prompt payment of adequate compensation; and
(ii) securing to any person having an interest in or right over the
property, a right of access to a court or other impartial and
independent authority for the determination of his or her interest or
right, the legality of the taking of possession or acquisition of the
property, interest or right, and the amount of any to which he or she is
entitled, and for the purpose of obtaining prompt payment of that
compensation.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the
making of any law in so far as it provides for the taking or acquisition
of property -
(a) in satisfaction of any tax, rate or due;
(b) by way of penalty for breach of law, whether under civil process
or after conviction of criminal offence;
(c) as an incident of a lease, tenancy, mortgage, charge, bill of
sale, pledge or contract;
(d) by way of the vesting or administration of trust property, enemy
property, bona vacantia, or the property of persons adjudged or
otherwise declared bankrupt or insolvent, or persons of unsound mind;
(e) in the execution of judgments or orders of courts;
(f) by reason of such property being in a dangerous state or liable
to cause injuries to the health of human beings, animals or plants;
(g) in consequence of any law with respect to the limitation of
actions; or
(h) for so long as such taking of possession may be necessary for
the purpose of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry, or in the
case of land, the carrying out thereon –
(i) of work of soil conservation or the conservation of other resources;
or
(ii) of agricultural development or improvement which the owner or
occupier of the land has been required and has without reasonable or
lawful excuse refused or failed to carry out, except so far as that
provision, or as the case may be the thing done under the authority
thereof, is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic
society.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the
making or operation of any law for the compulsory taking in the public
interest of any property, or the compulsory acquisition in the public
interest of any interest in or right over property where that property
interest or right is held by a body corporate which is established directly
by any law and in which no monies are provided by an Act of the
National Assembly.
(4) Where a compulsory acquisition of land by or on behalf of the
government involves the displacement of any inhabitant who occupies
the land under customary law, the government shall resettle the
displaced inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard to
their economic well-being and social and cultural values.
(5) Any such property of whatever description compulsorily taken
possession of, and any interest in or right over property of any
description compulsorily acquired in the public interest for a public
purpose, shall be used only in the public interest or for the public
purposes for which it is taken or acquired.
(6) Where any such property as is referred to in subsection (5) is
not used in the public interest or for the public purpose for which it was
taken or acquired, the person who was the owner immediately before
the compulsory taking or acquisition, as the case may be, shall be
given the first option of acquiring that property, in which event he or
she shall be required to refund the whole or such part of the
compensation as may be agreed upon between the parties thereto;
and in the absence of any such agreement such amount as shall be
determined by the High Court.
23. Privacy
(1) No person shall be subject to interference with the privacy of his
or her home, correspondence or communications save as is in
accordance with law and is necessary in a democratic society in the
interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being
of the country, for the protection of health or morals, for the prevention
of disorder or crime or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of
others.
(2) Searches of the person or the home of individuals shall only be
justified -
(a) where these are authorised by a competent judicial authority;
(b) in cases where delay in obtaining such judicial authority carries
with it the danger of prejudicing the objects of the search or the public
interest and such procedures as are prescribed by an Act of the
National Assembly to preclude abuse are properly satisfied.
24. Provisions to secure protection of the law and fair play
(1) Any court or other adjudicating authority established by law for
the determination of any criminal trial or matter, or for the
determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation,
shall be independent and impartial; and
(a) if any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless
the charge is withdrawn; or
(b) where proceedings are commenced for the determination or the
existence of any civil right or obligation,
the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
(2) All proceedings of every court and proceedings relating to the
determination of the existence or the extent of civil rights or
obligations before any other authority, including the announcement of
the decision of the court or other authority, shall be held in public:
Provided that the court or other authority may, to such extent as it may
consider necessary or expedient in circumstances where publicity would
prejudice the interests of justice or interlocutory civil proceedings, or to
such extent as it may be empowered or required by law to do so in the
interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, the
welfare of persons under the age of eighteen years or the protection of
the private lives of persons concerned in the proceedings, exclude from
its proceedings persons other than the parties thereto and their legal
representatives.
(3) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence -
(a) shall be presumed innocent until he or she is proved, or has
pleaded, guilty;
(b) shall be informed at the time he or she is charged, in a
language which he or she understands and in detail, of the nature of
the offence charged;
(c) shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of
his or her defence;
(d) shall be permitted to defend himself or herself before the court
in person or, at his or her own expense, by a legal representative of
his or her own choice;
Provided that where a person is charged with an offence which carries a
punishment of death or imprisonment for life, that person shall be
entitled to legal aid at the expense of the state;
(e) shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his or her
legal representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the
court and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of
witnesses to testify on his or her behalf before the court on the same
conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution; and
(f) shall be permitted to have without payment the assistance of
an interpreter if he or she cannot understand the language used at the
trial of the charge; and, except with his or her own consent, the trial
shall not take place in his or her absence unless he or she so conducts
himself or herself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in
his or her presence impractical and the court has ordered him or her to
be removed and the trial to proceed in his or her absence.
(4) When a person is tried for any criminal offence, the accused
person or any person authorised by him or her in that behalf shall, if
he or she requires and subject to the payment of such reasonable fee
as may be prescribed by law, be given within a reasonable time, and in
any event within thirty days after the end of the trial, a copy for the use
of the accused person of any record of the proceedings made by or on
behalf of the court.
(5) No person shall be charged with or held to be guilty of a criminal
offence on account of any act or omission which did not at the time it
took place constitute such an offence, and no penalty shall be imposed
for any criminal offence which is more severe in degree or description
than the maximum penalty which might have been imposed for that
offence at the time when it was committed.
(6) No person who shows that he or she has been tried by any
competent court for a criminal offence and either convicted or acquitted
shall again be tried for that offence or for any other offence of which he
or she could have been convicted at the trial for that offence save upon
the order of a superior court made in the course of appeal or revision
proceedings relating to the conviction or acquittal:
Provided that nothing in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or
in contravention of this subsection by reason only that it authorises any
court to try a member of a defence force for a criminal offence
notwithstanding any trial or conviction of the member under service law,
but any court so trying such a member and convicting him or her shall,
in sentencing him or her to any punishment, take into account any
punishment awarded him under service law.
(7) No person shall be tried for a criminal offence if he or she shows
he or she has been pardoned for that offence.
(8) No person charged with a criminal offence shall be compelled to
give evidence at the trial.
(9) A person charged with a criminal offence in the High Court shall
have the right to elect to be tried by a jury.
(10) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law
shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of -
(a) subsection (3)(a), to the extent that the law in question
imposes upon any person charged with a criminal offence the burden of
proving particular facts;
(b) subsection (3)(e), to the extent that the law in question
imposes reasonable conditions that must be satisfied if witnesses
called to testify on behalf of an accused person are to be paid their
expenses out of public funds.
25. Freedom of speech, conscience, assembly, association and
movement
(1) Every person shall have the right to -
(a) freedom of speech and expression, which include freedom of
the press and other media;
(b) freedom of thought, conscience and belief, which shall include
academic freedom;
(c) freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice;
(d) freedom to assemble and demonstrate peaceably and without
arms;
(e) freedom of association, which shall include freedom to form and
join associations and unions, including political parties and trade
unions;
(f) freedom to petition the executive for redress of grievances and
to resort to the courts for the protection of his or her rights.
(2) Every person lawfully within The Gambia shall have the right to
move freely throughout The Gambia, to choose his or her own place of
residence within The Gambia, and to leave The Gambia.
(3) Every citizen of The Gambia shall have the right to return to The
Gambia.
(4) The freedoms referred to in subsections (1) and (2) shall be
exercised subject to the law of The Gambia in so far as that law
imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the rights and
freedoms thereby conferred, which are necessary in a democratic
society and are required in the interests of the sovereignty and
integrity of The Gambia, national security, public order, decency or
morality, or in relation to contempt of court.
26. Political rights
Every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity shall have the
right, without unreasonable restrictions -
(a) to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through
freely chosen representatives;
(b) to vote and stand for elections at genuine periodic elections for
public office, which elections shall be by universal and equal suffrage
and be held by secret ballot;
(c) to have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in
The Gambia.
27. Right to marry
(1) Men and women of full age and capacity shall have the right to
marry and found a family.
(2) Marriage shall be based on the free and full consent of the
intended parties.
28. Rights of women
(1) Women shall be accorded full and equal dignity of the person
with men.
(2) Women shall have the right to equal treatment with men,
including equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities.
29. Rights of children
(1) Children shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to
acquire a nationality and subject to legislation enacted in the best
interests of children, to know and be cared for by their parents.
(2) Children under the age of sixteen years shall be entitled to be
protected from economic exploitation and shall not be employed in or
required to perform work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere
with their education or be harmful to their health or physical, mental,
spiritual, moral or social development.
(3) A juvenile offender who is kept in lawful custody shall be kept
separately from adult offenders.
30. Right to education
All persons shall have the right to equal educational opportunities and
facilities and with a view to achieving the full realisation of that right -
(a) basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all;
(b) secondary education, including technical and vocational
education, shall be made generally available and accessible to all by
every appropriate means, and in particular, by progressive introduction
of free education;
(c) higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the
basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular, by
progressive introduction of free education;
(d) functional literacy shall be encouraged or intensified as far as
possible;
(e) the development of a system of schools with adequate facilities
at all levels shall be actively pursued.
31. Rights of the disabled
(1) The right of the disabled and handicapped to respect and
human dignity shall be recognised by the state and society.
(2) Disabled persons shall be entitled to protection against
exploitation and to protection against discrimination, in particular as
regards access to health services, education and employment.
(3) In any judicial proceedings in which a disabled person is party,
the procedure shall take his or her condition into account.
32. Culture
Every person shall be entitled to enjoy, practise, profess, maintain and
promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the
terms of this Constitution and to the condition that the rights protected
by this section do not impinge on the rights and freedoms of others or
the national interest, especially unity.
33. Protection from discrimination
(1) All persons shall be equal before the law.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), no law shall make
any provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
(3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), no person shall be
treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of
any law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or
public authority.
(4) In this section, the expression "discrimination" means affording
different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to
their respective descriptions by race, colour, gender, language, religion,
political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or
other status whereby persons of one such description are subjected to
disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description
are not made subject, or are accorded privileges or advantages which
are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(5) Subsection (2) shall not apply to any law in so far as that law
makes provision -
(a) with respect to persons who are not citizens of The Gambia or to
qualifications for citizenship;
(b) with respect to the qualifications prescribed by this Constitution
for any office;
(c) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of
property on death or other matters of personal law;
(d) for the application in the case of members of a particular race
or tribe of customary law with respect to any matter in the case of
persons who, under that law, are subject to that law.
(6) Subsection (3) shall not apply to anything which is expressly or
by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provision
of law as is referred to in subsection (5).
(7) The exercise of any discretion relating to the institution, conduct
or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is
vested in any person by the Constitution or under any other law shall
not be enquired into by any court on the grounds that it contravenes
the provisions of subsection (3).
34. Declaration of state of pubic emergency
(1) The President may, at any time, by Proclamation published in
the Gazette, declare that -
(a) a state of public emergency exists in the whole or any part of
The Gambia;
(b) a situation exists which, if it is allowed to continue, may lead to
a state of public emergency.
(2) A declaration made under this section shall lapse at the
expiration of a period of seven days, or if the National Assembly is not
then in session twenty-one days, beginning on the day on which the
Proclamation is published in the Gazette unless, before the expiration
of that period, it has been approved by a resolution of the National
Assembly supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the
members thereof.
(3) A declaration made under subsection (1) may at any time be
revoked by the President by Proclamation which shall be published in
the Gazette.
(4) A declaration made under subsection (1) that has been
approved by a resolution of the National Assembly shall, subject to
subsection (3), remain in force so long as that resolution remains in
force and no longer.
(5) A resolution of the National Assembly passed for the purpose of
this section shall remain in force for ninety days or such shorter period
as may be specified therein:
Provided that -
(a) any such resolution may be extended from time to time by a
further resolution supported -
(i) in the case of a first extension, by the votes [incomplete – ed]
(ii) in the case of a subsequent extension, the votes of not less
than three quarters of all the members of the National Assembly,
but no extension shall exceed ninety days from the date of the
resolution effecting the extension; and
(b) any such resolution may be revoked at any time by a resolution
supported by the vote of the majority of all the members of the
National Assembly.
(6) Any provision of this section that a declaration shall lapse or
cease to be in force at any particular time shall be without prejudice to
the making of a further declaration under this section whether before or
after that time.
35. Derogation of fundamental [rights under] emergency powers
(1) An Act of the National Assembly may authorise the taking,
during any period of emergency, of measures that are reasonably
justifiable for dealing with the situation that exists in The Gambia.
(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of such an Act
shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of sections 19,
23, 24 (other than subsections (5) to (8) thereof) or 25 of this
Constitution to the extent that it is reasonably justifiable in the
circumstances arising or existing during a period of public emergency
for the purpose of dealing with the situation.
36. Persons detained under emergency powers
(1) Where a person is detained by virtue of or under any Act of the
National Assembly referred to in section 35, the following provisions
shall apply -
(a) he or she shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any
case not later than twenty four hours after the commencement of
detention, be furnished with a statement in writing specifying in detail
the grounds upon which he or she is detained; and the statement shall
be read, and, if necessary, interpreted to the person who is detained in
a language which he or she understands;
(b) the spouse, parent, child or other available next-of-kin of the
person detained shall be informed by the authority effecting the
detention and shall be permitted access to the person concerned at the
earliest practicable opportunity, and in any case not later than twenty-
four hours after the commencement of the detention;
(c) where none of the persons mentioned in paragraph (b) can be
traced or none of them is willing and able to see the person detained,
the person who is detained shall be informed of this fact within twenty
four hours of the commencement of the detention and he or she shall
be informed of his or her right to name and give particulars of some
other person who shall have the same right of access to the person
who is detained as any of the persons mentioned in paragraph (b);
(d) not more than fourteen days after the commencement of his or
her detention, the authority which effected the same shall give notice in
the Gazette stating that he or she has been detained and giving
particulars of the provision of law under which the detention is
authorised;
(e) not more than thirty days after the commencement of his or her
detention, and after that at intervals of not more than ninety days
during the continuance of his or her detention, the case of the person
concerned shall be reviewed by a tribunal as provided in subsection (2);
(f) the person who is detained shall be afforded every possible
facility to consult a legal practitioner of his or her choice who shall be
permitted to make representation to the tribunal appointed to review
the case;
(g) at the hearing before the tribunal appointed for the review of
his or her case, the person detained shall be entitled to appear in
person or by a legal practitioner of his or her choice and at his or her
own expense.
(2) A tribunal appointed to review the cases of persons who have
been detained shall be composed of three persons being, or qualified
to be appointed as, judges of the High Court.
(3) A tribunal composed of the same members shall not review
more than once the case of a particular person who has been detained.
(4) On review by a tribunal of the case of a person who has been
detained, the tribunal may order the release of the person or it may
uphold the detention; and the authority by which the detention was
ordered shall act in accordance with the decision of the tribunal for the
release of any person.
(5) No person may be detained under or by virtue of an Act of the
National Assembly referred to in section 35 during any state of
emergency in excess of a total of one hundred and eighty two days
(whether such days are consecutive or not) and, on the expiry of that
period, any person who has been so detained shall be entitled to
invoke the provisions of section 19 (right to personal liberty).
(6) In every month during the period in which a state of public
emergency is in force and in which there is a sitting of the National
Assembly, a Secretary of State authorised by the President shall make
a report to the National Assembly of the number of persons detained
by virtue of or under an Act of the National Assembly to which section
35 refers and the number of cases in which the authority which ordered
the detention has acted in accordance with the decisions of the tribunal
as provided in subsection (4).
(7) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that where the
declaration of a state of public emergency is revoked or otherwise
ceases to be in force, any person who is in detention or in custody by
virtue of or under an Act of the National Assembly to which section 35
refers, other than a person sentenced to imprisonment by a court for
an offence against such a law for a term which has not then expired,
shall be released immediately without further order.
37. Enforcement of protective provisions
(1) If any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 18
to 33 or section 36(5) of this Chapter has been, is being, or is likely to
be contravened in relation to himself or herself by any person he or
she may apply to the High Court for redress.
(2) An application may be made under this section in the case of a
person who is detained by some other person acting on the detained
person’s behalf.
(3) An application under this section shall be without prejudice to
any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully
available.
(4) If in any proceedings in any court subordinate to the High Court
any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of
the said sections 18 to 33 or section 36(5), that court may, and shall if
any party so requests, refer the question to the High Court, unless, in
the opinion of the subordinate court, the raising of the question is
merely frivolous or vexatious.
(5) The High Court shall -
(a) hear and determine any application made by any person
pursuant to subsection (1) or (2);
(b) determine any question arising in the case of any person which
is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (4);
and may, in addition to the powers conferred on it by section 5 (which
relates to defence of the Constitution) make such order, issue such
writ, and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the
purposes of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the
provisions of the said sections 18 to 33 or section 36(5) to the
protection of which the person concerned is entitled:
Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under
this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the
contravention alleged are or have been available to the person
concerned under any other law.
(6) The High Court shall consider every application and reference
referred to it in pursuance of this section and, having heard arguments
by or on behalf of the parties, shall pronounce its decision on the
question in open court as soon as may be, and in the case of reference
under subsection (4), not later than thirty days after the conclusion of
the final addresses of the parties.
(7) An Act of the National Assembly may confer on the High Court
such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may
appear to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the
court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by
this section.
(8) The rights, duties, declarations and guarantees relating to the
fundamental rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in this Chapter
shall not be regarded as excluding other rights which may be
prescribed by Acts of the National Assembly as inherent in a democracy
and intended to secure the freedom and dignity of man.
38. Interpretation of Chapter IV
(1) In this Chapter, save where the context otherwise requires –
“a period of public emergency” means any period during which The
Gambia is at war or a declaration is in force under section 34;
“contravention” in relation to any requirement, includes a failure to
comply with that requirement, and cognate expressions shall be
construed accordingly:
“court” means any court of law in The Gambia other than a district
tribunal or, save as provided in subsection (2), a court constituted
under service law;
“defence force” means any naval, military or air force of The Gambia;
“member” in relation to a defence force, includes persons who, under
the law regulating the discipline of that force, are subject to that
discipline;
“owner” includes any person deprived of any right or interest pursuant
to section 22;
“service law” means the law regarding the discipline of a defence force
or of the Police Force or the Prison Service or any disciplined volunteer
force.
(2) In relation to an offence against service law, a reference to
“court” –
(a) in sections 18 to 20, subsections (2), (3), (4), (6) (but not the
proviso thereto) of section 24, subsection (3) of section 25, subsection
(8) of section 33 and subsection (2) of section 37 includes a reference
to a court constituted by or under service law;
(b) in sections 19 and 20 and subsection (8) of section 33, includes
an officer of a defence force and of the Police Force.
(3) Reference in sections 18, 19 and 22 to a “criminal offence” shall
be construed as including references to an offence against service law
and such references in subsections (4) to (9) of section 24 shall, in
relation to proceedings before a court constituted by or under service
law, be similarly construed.
(4) In relation to any person who is a member of an armed force
raised otherwise than under the law of The Gambia and lawfully present
in The Gambia, nothing contained in or done under the authority of the
disciplinary law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter.
…
CHAPTER V: REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE
PART 1: The Franchise
39. The right to vote and be registered
(1) Every citizen of The Gambia being eighteen years or older and
of sound mind shall have the right to vote for the purpose of elections
of a President and members of the National Assembly and shall be
entitled to be registered as a voter in a National Assembly constituency
for that purpose.
(2) Every citizen of The Gambia who is a registered voter shall be
entitled to vote in a referendum held in accordance with this
Constitution or any other law.
(3) Every citizen of The Gambia being of the age of eighteen years
or older and of sound mind shall be entitled, in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter and any Act of the National Assembly
providing for such elections, to vote in elections for local government
authorities and traditional rulers in the area in which he or she is
ordinarily resident.
40. Secret ballot
All public elections and all referenda voting shall be by secret ballot.
...
PART 2: The Independent Electoral Commission
42. The Commission
(1) There shall be an Independent Electoral Commission for The
Gambia which shall be part of the public service.
…
45. Electoral laws
An Act of the National Assembly may make further provisions for the
purposes of this part.
…
PART 7: Political Parties
60. Political parties
(1) No association, other than a political party registered under or
pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly, shall sponsor candidates
for public elections.
(2) No association shall be registered or remain registered as a
political party if –
(a) it is formed or organized on an ethnic, sectional, religious or
regional basis;
(b) its internal organisation does not conform with democratic
principles; or
(c) it purpose is to subvert this Constitution or the rule of law.
(3) An Act of the National Assembly shall make provisions for the
better implementation of this section.
…
CHAPTER VI: THE EXECUTIVE
PART 1: The President
…
67. Misconduct by the President
(1) The President may be removed from office in accordance with
this section on any of the following grounds –
(a) abuse of office, wilful violation of the oath of allegiance or the
President’s oath of office, or wilful violation of any provision of this
Constitution, or
…
CHAPTER VII: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND LEGISLATION
…
PART 3: Legislative and other powers of the National Assembly
100. The legislative power
(1) The legislative power of The Gambia shall be exercised by Bills
passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President.
(2) The National Assembly shall not pass a Bill –
(a) to establish a one party state;
(b) to establish any religion as a state religion; or
(c) to alter the decision or judgment of a court in any proceedings
to the prejudice of any party to those proceedings, or deprive any
person retroactively of vested or acquired rights, but subject thereto,
the National Assembly may pass Bills designed to have retroactive
effect.
…
CHAPTER VIII: THE JUDICATURE
PART 1: The Courts of The Gambia
120. The courts and the judicial power
(1) The Courts of The Gambia are:
(a) The Superior Courts comprising:
(i) the Supreme Court;
(ii) the Court of Appeal;
(iii) the High Court and the Special Criminal Court; and
(b) the Magistrates Court, the Cadi Court, District Tribunals and
such lower courts and tribunals as may be established by an Act of the
National Assembly.
(2) The judicial power of The Gambia is vested in the courts and
shall be exercised by them according to the respective jurisdictions
conferred on them by law.
(3) In the exercise of their judicial functions, the courts, the judges
and other holders of judicial office shall be independent and shall be
subject only to this Constitution and the law, and, save as provided in
this Chapter, shall not be subject to the control or direction of any other
person or authority.
...
PART 2: The Superior Courts
A: The Supreme Court
...
127. Original jurisdiction
(1) The Supreme Court shall have an exclusive original jurisdiction -
(a) for the interpretation or enforcement of any provision of this
Constitution other than any provision of sections 18 to 33 or section 36
(5) (which relate to fundamental rights and freedoms);
(b) on any question whether any law was made in excess of the
powers conferred by the Constitution or any other law upon the National
Assembly or any other person or authority;
…
(2) Where any question referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) of
subsection (1) arises in any proceedings in any other court, that court
shall stay its proceedings and refer the matter to the Supreme Court
for its determination, and such other court shall give effect to any
decision of the Supreme Court in the matter.
...
C: The High Court
132. Jurisdiction of High Court
(1) Save as provided in section 127, the High Court shall have
original jurisdiction –
(a) to hear and determine all civil and criminal proceedings;
(b) to interpret and enforce the fundamental rights and freedoms
as provided in section 18 to 33 and section 36(5), and in the exercise
of such jurisdiction, the Court shall have all such power and authority as
may be conferred by this Constitution or any other law.
…
CHAPTER X: THE OMBUDSMAN
163. National Assembly to establish office of the Ombudsman
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, an Act of the
National Assembly shall within six months of the coming into force of
this Constitution establish the office of Ombudsman and provision for
his or her functions and duties -
...
165. Independence of Ombudsman
(1) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, in the exercise of his
or her functions, the Ombudsman and a deputy Ombudsman shall not
be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority
but subject only to the Constitution and the law.
(2) All departments, authorities and other public bodies which are
subject to investigation by the Ombudsman shall accord such
assistance as he or she may require for the protection of the
independence, dignity and effectiveness of the Ombudsman in the
performance of his or her functions.
…
CHAPTER XI: THE PUBLIC SERVICE
PART 1: Offices in the public service
…
169. Protection of public servants
(1) No public servant shall be –
(a) victimised or discriminated against either directly or indirectly for
having discharged his or other duties faithfully and according to law; or
(b) be removed from office or reduced in rank or otherwise
punished without just cause.
…
CHAPTER XIV: LAND COMMISSION
…
192. Land Commission
There shall be established a Land Commission whose composition,
functions and powers shall be prescribed by an Act of the National
Assembly.
…
CHAPTER XVII: THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CIVIC EDUCATION
198. National Council for Civic Education
There shall be established a National Council for Civic Education whose
composition, functions and powers shall be prescribed by an Act of the
National Assembly.
199. Functions of the Council
(1) The functions of the National Council for Civic Education shall
be –
(a) to create and sustain within society an awareness of the principles
and objectives of this Constitution as the fundamental law of The
Gambia;
(b) to educate and encourage the public to defend this Constitution
against all forms of abuse and violence;
(c) to formulate, from time to time, for the consideration of the
government, programmes at national and district levels aimed at
realising the object of this Constitution;
(d) to formulate, implement and oversee programmes aimed at
inculcating in the citizens of The Gambia awareness of their civic and
fundamental rights, duties and responsibilities;
(e) to educate the citizens of The Gambia about international,
regional and sub-regional matters relevant to The Gambia; and
(f) such other function as an Act of the National Assembly may
prescribe.
(2) An Act of the National Assembly may provide for the
establishment of district branches of the Council.
(3) In the exercise of its functions, the Council shall be apolitical
and, save as may be provided by an Act of the National Assembly,
shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or
authority.
…
CHAPTER XVIII: COMMISSIONS OF ENQUIRY
207. Freedom and responsibility of the media
(1) The freedom and independence of the press and other
information media are hereby guaranteed.
(2) An Act of the National Assembly may make provisions for the
establishment and operation of the press and other information media.
(3) The press and other information media shall at all times, be
free to uphold the principles, provisions and objectives of this
Constitution, and the responsibility and accountability of the
government to the people of The Gambia.
208. Responsibility of state owned media
All state owned newspapers, journal, radio and television shall afford
fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views
and dissenting opinion.
209. Limitations on rights and freedoms
The provisions of sections 207 and 208 are subject to laws which are
reasonably required in a democratic society in the interest of national
security, public orders, public morality and for the purpose of protecting
the reputations, rights and freedoms of others.
210. National Media Commission
An Act of the National Assembly shall within one year of the coming into
force of this Constitution make provision for the establishment of a
National Media Commission to establish a code of conduct for the
media of mass communication and information and to ensure the
impartiality, independence and professionalism of the media which is
necessary in a democratic society.
CHAPTER XX: DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY
211. Application of the directive principles of state policy
The principles of state policy in this Chapter shall form part of the
public policy of The Gambia for the establishment of a just, free and
democratic state. These principles shall not confer legal rights or be
enforceable in any court but -
(a) subject to the limits of the economic capacity and development of
The Gambia, the executive, the legislature and all other organs of the
state in taking policy decisions, making laws and in the administration
of The Gambia, shall according to their respective functions be guided
by and observe them with a view to achieving by legislation or
otherwise the full realisation of these principles; and
(b) the courts are entitled to have regard to these principles in
interpreting any laws based on them.
212. National integration and unity
(1) All organs of the state shall strive towards the realisation of
national unity, peace and stability.
(2) Every effort shall be made to integrate the people of The Gambia
and foster loyalty to The Gambia without discrimination.
(3) All the people of The Gambia shall be entitled to their ethnic,
religious and cultural values which do not disturb the unity or cohesion
of the state.
213. National sovereignty and independence
(1) The state and all citizens of The Gambia shall endeavour to
protect and enhance national sovereignty including social, political, and
economic independence and territorial integrity.
(2) The state shall pursue policies which avoid undue dependence on
other nations and institutions.
214. Political objectives
(1) The Gambia shall be a democratic state dedicated to freedom,
peace, progress, prosperity and justice.
(2) The people shall express their will and consent as to who shall
govern them and how they shall be governed, through regular, free
and fair elections of their representatives.
(3) The state shall be guided by the principles of decentralisation
and the devolution of governmental functions and powers to the people
at appropriate levels of control to facilitate democratic governance.
(4) In the composition of the government women shall be fairly
represented.
(5) The government, with due regard to the principles of an open
and democratic society, shall foster accountability and transparency at
all levels of government.
215. Economic objectives
(1) The state shall endeavour to create an economic environment
that maximises the rate of economic growth and employment and
secures the maximum welfare and prosperity for all persons in The
Gambia.
(2) The state shall endeavour to keep inflation under control.
(3) Recognising that the most secure democracy is one that assures
the basic necessities of life for its people, the state shall endeavour to
establish an efficient, dynamic and self-reliant economy whose
underlying principles shall include ensuring:
(a) ample and equal opportunity for all citizens and a pronounced
role for the private sector, and the encouragement of private initiative;
(b) that persons bear their fair share of social and national
responsibilities including their responsibility to contribute to the
development of the country; and
(c) a balanced development of all parts of The Gambia,
improvement in the quality of life in rural communities and redressing
economic imbalances between rural and urban communities.
(4) The state shall pursue a policy of:
(a) giving adequate priority to those sectors of the economy which
promote national prosperity;
(b) promoting the development of agriculture and related industry;
(c) encouraging and protecting beneficial foreign investment;
(d) protecting the environment of the nation for posterity; and
(e) co-operation with other nations and bodies to protect the global
environment.
(5) The state shall endeavour to ensure equal opportunity and full
participation for women in the economic development of the country.
216. Social objectives
(1) The state shall endeavour to secure and promote a society
founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice, tolerance,
probity and accountability.
(2) The state shall pursue policies to protect the rights and freedoms
of the disabled, the aged, children and other vulnerable members of
society and to ensure that such persons are provided just and
equitable social opportunities.
(3) The state, in pursuing policies in subsection (2), shall be bound
by the fundamental rights and freedoms in the Constitution and shall
be guided by international human rights instruments to which The
Gambia is a signatory and which recognise and apply particular
categories of basic human rights to development processes.
(4) The state shall endeavour to facilitate equal access to clean and
safe water, adequate health and medical services, habitable shelter,
sufficient food and security to all persons.
(5) The state shall encourage and promote the establishment and
maintenance of contributory schemes that shall provide economic
security for all citizens.
(6) The state shall endeavour to ensure safe systems of working
conditions for persons who are employed and to provide that such
persons are entitled to adequate rest, leave and leisure.
(7) The state shall endeavour to ensure that adequate sports
facilities are established throughout The Gambia and that sports are
promoted as a means of fostering national integration, health and self-
discipline and international friendship and understanding.
217. Educational objectives
(1) The state shall endeavour to provide adequate educational
opportunities at all levels of study for all citizens.
(2) The state shall pursue policies to ensure basic education for all
citizens and shall endeavour to provide adequate resources so that
such tuition for basic education shall be free for all citizens.
(3) The state shall endeavour to provide skills training centres.
(4) The state shall take measures to create an adult literacy
programme, rehabilitative vocational training for the disabled, and
continuing education programmes.
218. Cultural objectives
The state and all the people of The Gambia shall strive to protect,
preserve and foster the languages, historic sites, cultural, natural and
artistic heritage of The Gambia.
219. Foreign relations
The state shall endeavour to ensure that in international relations it:
(a) promotes and protects the interests of The Gambia;
(b) seeks the establishment of a just and equitable international
economic and social order;
(c) fosters respect for international law, treaty obligations and the
settlement of international disputes by peaceful means; and
(d) is guided by the principles and goals of international and regional
organisations of which The Gambia is a signatory.
220. Duties of a citizen
(1) The exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms are
inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations, and
accordingly, every citizen shall:
(a) promote the prestige and good reputation of The Gambia and
respect the symbols of The Gambia;
(b) uphold and defend the Constitution;
(c) foster national unity and live harmoniously with others;
(d) respect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of others
and refrain from acting in a manner detrimental to the welfare of other
persons;
(e) serve The Gambia by working conscientiously in his or her
chosen occupation;
(f) protect and preserve public property and expose and combat
misuse and waste of public funds and property;
(g) contribute to the well-being of the community in which the
citizen lives;
(h) be loyal to The Gambia and contribute to its defence when
necessary;
(i) co-operate with the appropriate agencies in the maintenance of
law and order; and
(j) protect and conserve the environment of The Gambia.
(2) It shall be the duty of every citizen to abide by and conform
with the provisions set out in subsection (1), but such duties shall not,
of themselves, render any person liable to proceedings of any kind in
any court.
…
CHAPTER XXII: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
226. Alteration of this Constitution
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an Act of the National
Assembly may alter this Constitution.
(2) Subject to subsection (4), a bill for an Act of the National
Assembly under this section shall not be passed by the National
Assembly or presented to the President for assent unless –
(a) before the first reading of the Bill in the National Assembly, the
Bill is published in at least two issues of the Gazette, the latest
publication being not less than three months after the first, and the Bill
is introduced into the National Assembly not earlier than ten days after
the latest publication; and
(b) the Bill is supported on the second and third readings by the
votes of not less than three quarters of all the members of the
National Assembly.
(3) If the President fails to assent within thirty days to a Bill passed
by the National Assembly in accordance with subsection (2), the Bill
shall be returned to the Speaker who shall refer it to the Independent
Electoral Commission. The Independent Electoral Commission shall
cause a referendum to be held on the Bill in accordance with subsection
(4) and, if the Bill is supported on such a referendum by the majority
provided for in that subsection, it shall again by presented to the
President for his assent.
…
SCHEDULE 2: TRANSITIONAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS
…
Legal Proceedings
(13) (1) No member of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council,
any person appointed Minister by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council, or other appointees of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council shall be held liable or answerable before a Court or authority or
under this Constitution or any other law, either jointly or severally, for
an act or omission in the performance of his or her official duties.
(2) After the coming into force of this Constitution, it shall not be
lawful for any court or tribunal to entertain any action or take any
decision or make any order or grant any remedy or relief in any
proceedings instituted against the Government of The Gambia or any
person acting under the authority of the Government of The Gambia, or
against any person or persons acting in concert or individually to assist
or bring about the change in government which took place on the
twenty second day of July 1994, in respect of any act or omission
relating to, or consequent upon:
(a) the overthrow of the government in power before the formation
of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council;
(b) the suspension or abrogation of the Constitution of The Gambia
1970;
(c) the establishment of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council; or
(d) the establishment of this Constitution.
(3) For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that no action taken
or purported to have been taken in the exercise of the executive,
legislative or judicial power by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council or a member thereof, or by any person appointed by the
Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council in the name of the Armed
Forces Provisional Ruling Council except judges of the Supreme Court
or the Court of Appeal, shall be questioned in any proceedings
whatsoever and, accordingly, it shall not be lawful for any court or
tribunal to make any order or grant any remedy or relief in respect of
any such act.
(4) The provisions of subparagraph (3) shall have effect
notwithstanding that any such action as is referred to in that
subparagraph was not taken in accordance with any procedure
prescribed by law.
(5) It shall not be lawful for any court or tribunal to entertain an
action instituted in respect of an act or omission against a person
acting or omitting to act on the instructions or authority of the Armed
Forces Provisional Ruling Council, or a member thereof, and alleged to
be in contravention of any law whether substantive or procedural, in
existence before or during the administration of the Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council.
…
(15) Abrogation of 1970 Constitution
The Constitution of The Gambia 1970 (Act No1 of 1970) is hereby
abrogated.
(16) Substitution of life imprisonment for death penalty
Where any law makes provision for a sentence of death in any case
other than that provided for in section 18(2), the law shall have effect
as if imprisonment for life were substituted for that penalty.
(17) Paragraphs not to be amended
The National Assembly shall have no power to pass a Bill to amend or
repeal this paragraph or paragraph 11, 12, 13 or 14 of this Schedule.
Adopted on 8 August 1996, entered into force in January 1997,
last amended in 2001
In the name of God, the Almighty,
We the people of The Gambia have accomplished a great and historic
task. We have had our say on how we should be governed. For this
Constitution contains our will and resolve for good governance and a
just, secure and prosperous society.
Our hopes and aspirations as a people were reflected in the
enthusiasm and zeal with which we embarked on the task of nation
building on the attainment of independence. The self-perpetuating rule
of the recent past, however, soon gave rise to the abuse of office and
related vices which negated the total welfare of the Gambian people.
The sovereign people of The Gambia therefore endorsed the change of
government on 22 July 1994 to rectify such evils.
This Constitution provides for us a fundamental law, which affirms our
commitment to freedom, justice, probity and accountability. It also
affirms the principle that all power emanate from the sovereign will of
the people.
The fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in this Constitution,
will ensure for all time respect for and observance of human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to ethnic
considerations, gender, language or religion. In acknowledging our
fundamental rights we also affirm our duties and responsibilities as
citizens of this country.
This Constitution guarantees participatory democracy that reflects the
undiluted choice of the people. The functions of the arms of
government have been clearly defined, their independence amply
secured with adequate checks and balances to ensure that they all work
harmoniously together toward our common good.
As we usher in the Second Republic and beyond, we give ourselves and
generations of Gambians yet unborn this Constitution as a beacon of
hope for peace and stability in our society and the good governance of
The Gambia for all time.
In this spirit, we continue to pledge our firm allegiance to our beloved
country and pray that the Great God of Nations will keep us all ever true
to The Gambia.
CHAPTER I: THE REPUBLIC
1. The Republic
(1) The Gambia is a sovereign secular Republic.
(2) The sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The
Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and
in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of
government are to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.
...
CHAPTER II: THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS
4. Supremacy of the Constitution
This Constitution is the supreme law of The Gambia and any other law
found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall, to
the extent of the inconsistency, be void.
5. Enforcement of the Constitution
(1)A person who alleges that –
(a) any act of the National Assembly or anything done under the
authority of an Act of the National Assembly; or
(b) any act or omission of any person or authority,
is inconsistent with or is in contravention of a provision of this
Constitution, may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction
for a declaration to that effect.
(2) The court may make orders and give directions as it may
consider appropriate for giving effect, or enabling effect to be given, to
such a declaration and any person to whom any order or direction is
addressed shall duly obey and carry out the terms of the order or
direction.
(3) The failure to obey or carry out any order made or direction
given under subsection (2) shall constitute the offence of violating the
Constitution and -
(a) shall in the case of the President or Vice-President, constitute a
ground for his or her removal from office in accordance with section 67;
and
(b) any other person who is convicted of that offence shall be liable
to the penalty prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
6. Defence of the Constitution
(1) Any person who –
(a) by himself or herself or in concert with others, by any violent or
other unlawful means, suspends or overthrows or abrogates this
Constitution or any part of it, or attempts to do any such act, or
(b) aids and abets in any manner any person referred to in
paragraph (a),
commits the offence of treason and shall, on conviction, be liable to
the penalty prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly for that
offence.
(2) All citizens of The Gambia have the right and the duty at all
times to defend this Constitution and, in particular, to resist, to the
extent reasonably justifiable in the circumstances, any person or group
of persons seeking or attempting by any violent or unlawful means to
suspend, overthrow or abrogate this Constitution or any part of it.
(3) A person who resists the suspension, overthrow or abrogation of
this Constitution as provided in subsection (2), commits no offence.
7. The laws of The Gambia
In addition to this Constitution, the laws of The Gambia consist of –
(a) Acts of the National Assembly made under this Constitution and
subsidiary legislation made under such acts;
(b) any Orders, Rules, Regulations or other subsidiary legislation
made by a person or authority under a power conferred by this
Constitution or any other law;
(c) the existing laws including all decrees passed by the Armed
Forces Provisional Ruling Council;
(d) the common law and principles of equity;
(e) customary law so far as it concerns members of the
communities to which it applies;
(f) the Shari’a as regards matters of marriage, divorce and
inheritance among members of the communities to which it applies.
…
CHAPTER IV: PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
17. Fundamental rights and freedoms
(1) The fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in this
Chapter shall be respected and upheld by all organs of the executive
and its agencies, the legislature and, where applicable to them, by all
natural and legal persons in The Gambia, and shall be enforceable by
the courts in accordance with this Constitution.
(2) Every person in The Gambia, whatever his or her race, colour,
gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, property, birth or other status, shall be entitled to the
fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual contained in
this Chapter, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of
others and for the public interest.
18. Protection of the right to life
(1) No person shall be deprived of his or her life intentionally,
except in the execution of a sentence of death imposed by a court of
competent jurisdiction in respect of a criminal offence for which the
penalty is death under the laws of The Gambia, as they have effect in
accordance with subsection (2), and of which he or she has been
lawfully convicted.
(2) As from the coming into force of this Constitution, no court in
The Gambia shall be competent to impose a sentence of death for any
offence unless the sentence is prescribed by law and the offence
involves violence, or the administration of any toxic substance,
resulting in the death of another person.
(3) The National Assembly shall within ten years from the date of
the coming into force of this Constitution review the desirability or
otherwise of the total abolition of the death penalty in The Gambia.
(4) Without prejudice to any liability for a contravention of any other
law with respect to the use of force in such cases as are hereinafter
mentioned, a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of
his or her life in contravention of this section if he or she dies as a
result of the use of force to such extent as is reasonably justifiable in
the circumstances of the case, that is to say -
(a) for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the
defence of property;
(b) in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a
person lawfully detained;
(c) for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny;
(d) in order to prevent the commission by that person of a criminal
offence; or
(e) if he or she dies as a result of a lawful act of war.
19. Protection of the right to personal liberty
(1) Every person shall have the right to liberty and security of the
person. No one shall be subject to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one
shall be deprived of his or her liberty except on such grounds and in
accordance with such procedures as established by law.
(2) Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed as
soon as is reasonably practicable and in any case within three hours, in
a language he or she understands, of the reasons for his or her arrest
or detention and of his or her right to consult a legal practitioner.
(3) Any person who is arrested or detained -
(a) for the purpose of bringing him or her before a court in
execution of the order of a court; or
(b) upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed, or
being about to commit, a criminal offence under the laws of The
Gambia, and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay
before a court and, in any event, within seventy-two hours.
(4) Where any person is brought before a court in execution of the
order of a court in any proceedings or upon suspicion of his or her
having committed or being about to commit an offence, he or she shall
not thereafter be further held in custody in connection with those
proceedings or that offence save upon the order of a court.
(5) Any person arrested or detained as mentioned in subsection (3)
(b) is not tried within a reasonable time, then without prejudice to any
further proceedings which may be brought against him or her, he or
she shall be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable
conditions, including, in particular, such conditions as are reasonably
necessary to ensure that he or she appears at a later date for trial or
proceedings preliminary to trial.
(6) Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained by any other
person shall be entitled to compensation from that other person or
from any other person or authority on whose behalf that other person
was acting.
20. Protection from slavery and forced labour
(1) No person shall be held in slavery or servitude.
(2) No person shall be required to perform forced labour.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the expression "forced labour"
does not include –
(a) any labour required in consequence of a sentence or order of a
court;
(b) labour required of any person while he or she is lawfully
detained that, though not required in consequence of the sentence or
order of the court, is reasonably necessary in the interests of hygiene
for the maintenance of the place in which he or she is detained;
(c) any labour required of a member of a defence force in
pursuance of his or her duties as such or, in the case of a person who
has conscientious objections to service as a member of any naval,
military or air force, any labour which that person is required by law to
perform in place of such service;
(d) any labour required during a period of public emergency or in
the event of any other emergency or calamity which threatens the life
or well-being of the community, to the extent that the requiring of such
labour is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of any situation
arising or existing during that period or as a result of that other
emergency or calamity, for the purposes of dealing with that situation;
or
(e) any labour reasonably required as part of reasonable and
normal communal or other civic obligations.
21. Protection from inhuman treatment
No person shall be subject to torture or inhuman or degrading
punishment or other treatment.
22. Protection from deprivation of property
(1) No property of any description shall be taken possession of
compulsorily, and no right over or interest in any such property shall be
acquired compulsorily in any part of The Gambia, except where the
following conditions are satisfied -
(a) the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary in the
interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public
health, town and country planning, or the development or utilisation of
any property in such manner as to promote the public benefit;
(b) the necessity therefore is such as to afford reasonable
justification of the causing of any hardship that may result to any
person having an interest in or right over the property; and
(c) provision is made by law applicable to that taking of possession
or acquisition-
(i) for the prompt payment of adequate compensation; and
(ii) securing to any person having an interest in or right over the
property, a right of access to a court or other impartial and
independent authority for the determination of his or her interest or
right, the legality of the taking of possession or acquisition of the
property, interest or right, and the amount of any to which he or she is
entitled, and for the purpose of obtaining prompt payment of that
compensation.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the
making of any law in so far as it provides for the taking or acquisition
of property -
(a) in satisfaction of any tax, rate or due;
(b) by way of penalty for breach of law, whether under civil process
or after conviction of criminal offence;
(c) as an incident of a lease, tenancy, mortgage, charge, bill of
sale, pledge or contract;
(d) by way of the vesting or administration of trust property, enemy
property, bona vacantia, or the property of persons adjudged or
otherwise declared bankrupt or insolvent, or persons of unsound mind;
(e) in the execution of judgments or orders of courts;
(f) by reason of such property being in a dangerous state or liable
to cause injuries to the health of human beings, animals or plants;
(g) in consequence of any law with respect to the limitation of
actions; or
(h) for so long as such taking of possession may be necessary for
the purpose of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry, or in the
case of land, the carrying out thereon –
(i) of work of soil conservation or the conservation of other resources;
or
(ii) of agricultural development or improvement which the owner or
occupier of the land has been required and has without reasonable or
lawful excuse refused or failed to carry out, except so far as that
provision, or as the case may be the thing done under the authority
thereof, is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic
society.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the
making or operation of any law for the compulsory taking in the public
interest of any property, or the compulsory acquisition in the public
interest of any interest in or right over property where that property
interest or right is held by a body corporate which is established directly
by any law and in which no monies are provided by an Act of the
National Assembly.
(4) Where a compulsory acquisition of land by or on behalf of the
government involves the displacement of any inhabitant who occupies
the land under customary law, the government shall resettle the
displaced inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard to
their economic well-being and social and cultural values.
(5) Any such property of whatever description compulsorily taken
possession of, and any interest in or right over property of any
description compulsorily acquired in the public interest for a public
purpose, shall be used only in the public interest or for the public
purposes for which it is taken or acquired.
(6) Where any such property as is referred to in subsection (5) is
not used in the public interest or for the public purpose for which it was
taken or acquired, the person who was the owner immediately before
the compulsory taking or acquisition, as the case may be, shall be
given the first option of acquiring that property, in which event he or
she shall be required to refund the whole or such part of the
compensation as may be agreed upon between the parties thereto;
and in the absence of any such agreement such amount as shall be
determined by the High Court.
23. Privacy
(1) No person shall be subject to interference with the privacy of his
or her home, correspondence or communications save as is in
accordance with law and is necessary in a democratic society in the
interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being
of the country, for the protection of health or morals, for the prevention
of disorder or crime or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of
others.
(2) Searches of the person or the home of individuals shall only be
justified -
(a) where these are authorised by a competent judicial authority;
(b) in cases where delay in obtaining such judicial authority carries
with it the danger of prejudicing the objects of the search or the public
interest and such procedures as are prescribed by an Act of the
National Assembly to preclude abuse are properly satisfied.
24. Provisions to secure protection of the law and fair play
(1) Any court or other adjudicating authority established by law for
the determination of any criminal trial or matter, or for the
determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation,
shall be independent and impartial; and
(a) if any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless
the charge is withdrawn; or
(b) where proceedings are commenced for the determination or the
existence of any civil right or obligation,
the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
(2) All proceedings of every court and proceedings relating to the
determination of the existence or the extent of civil rights or
obligations before any other authority, including the announcement of
the decision of the court or other authority, shall be held in public:
Provided that the court or other authority may, to such extent as it may
consider necessary or expedient in circumstances where publicity would
prejudice the interests of justice or interlocutory civil proceedings, or to
such extent as it may be empowered or required by law to do so in the
interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, the
welfare of persons under the age of eighteen years or the protection of
the private lives of persons concerned in the proceedings, exclude from
its proceedings persons other than the parties thereto and their legal
representatives.
(3) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence -
(a) shall be presumed innocent until he or she is proved, or has
pleaded, guilty;
(b) shall be informed at the time he or she is charged, in a
language which he or she understands and in detail, of the nature of
the offence charged;
(c) shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of
his or her defence;
(d) shall be permitted to defend himself or herself before the court
in person or, at his or her own expense, by a legal representative of
his or her own choice;
Provided that where a person is charged with an offence which carries a
punishment of death or imprisonment for life, that person shall be
entitled to legal aid at the expense of the state;
(e) shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by his or her
legal representative the witnesses called by the prosecution before the
court and to obtain the attendance and carry out the examination of
witnesses to testify on his or her behalf before the court on the same
conditions as those applying to witnesses called by the prosecution; and
(f) shall be permitted to have without payment the assistance of
an interpreter if he or she cannot understand the language used at the
trial of the charge; and, except with his or her own consent, the trial
shall not take place in his or her absence unless he or she so conducts
himself or herself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in
his or her presence impractical and the court has ordered him or her to
be removed and the trial to proceed in his or her absence.
(4) When a person is tried for any criminal offence, the accused
person or any person authorised by him or her in that behalf shall, if
he or she requires and subject to the payment of such reasonable fee
as may be prescribed by law, be given within a reasonable time, and in
any event within thirty days after the end of the trial, a copy for the use
of the accused person of any record of the proceedings made by or on
behalf of the court.
(5) No person shall be charged with or held to be guilty of a criminal
offence on account of any act or omission which did not at the time it
took place constitute such an offence, and no penalty shall be imposed
for any criminal offence which is more severe in degree or description
than the maximum penalty which might have been imposed for that
offence at the time when it was committed.
(6) No person who shows that he or she has been tried by any
competent court for a criminal offence and either convicted or acquitted
shall again be tried for that offence or for any other offence of which he
or she could have been convicted at the trial for that offence save upon
the order of a superior court made in the course of appeal or revision
proceedings relating to the conviction or acquittal:
Provided that nothing in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or
in contravention of this subsection by reason only that it authorises any
court to try a member of a defence force for a criminal offence
notwithstanding any trial or conviction of the member under service law,
but any court so trying such a member and convicting him or her shall,
in sentencing him or her to any punishment, take into account any
punishment awarded him under service law.
(7) No person shall be tried for a criminal offence if he or she shows
he or she has been pardoned for that offence.
(8) No person charged with a criminal offence shall be compelled to
give evidence at the trial.
(9) A person charged with a criminal offence in the High Court shall
have the right to elect to be tried by a jury.
(10) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law
shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of -
(a) subsection (3)(a), to the extent that the law in question
imposes upon any person charged with a criminal offence the burden of
proving particular facts;
(b) subsection (3)(e), to the extent that the law in question
imposes reasonable conditions that must be satisfied if witnesses
called to testify on behalf of an accused person are to be paid their
expenses out of public funds.
25. Freedom of speech, conscience, assembly, association and
movement
(1) Every person shall have the right to -
(a) freedom of speech and expression, which include freedom of
the press and other media;
(b) freedom of thought, conscience and belief, which shall include
academic freedom;
(c) freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice;
(d) freedom to assemble and demonstrate peaceably and without
arms;
(e) freedom of association, which shall include freedom to form and
join associations and unions, including political parties and trade
unions;
(f) freedom to petition the executive for redress of grievances and
to resort to the courts for the protection of his or her rights.
(2) Every person lawfully within The Gambia shall have the right to
move freely throughout The Gambia, to choose his or her own place of
residence within The Gambia, and to leave The Gambia.
(3) Every citizen of The Gambia shall have the right to return to The
Gambia.
(4) The freedoms referred to in subsections (1) and (2) shall be
exercised subject to the law of The Gambia in so far as that law
imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the rights and
freedoms thereby conferred, which are necessary in a democratic
society and are required in the interests of the sovereignty and
integrity of The Gambia, national security, public order, decency or
morality, or in relation to contempt of court.
26. Political rights
Every citizen of The Gambia of full age and capacity shall have the
right, without unreasonable restrictions -
(a) to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through
freely chosen representatives;
(b) to vote and stand for elections at genuine periodic elections for
public office, which elections shall be by universal and equal suffrage
and be held by secret ballot;
(c) to have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in
The Gambia.
27. Right to marry
(1) Men and women of full age and capacity shall have the right to
marry and found a family.
(2) Marriage shall be based on the free and full consent of the
intended parties.
28. Rights of women
(1) Women shall be accorded full and equal dignity of the person
with men.
(2) Women shall have the right to equal treatment with men,
including equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities.
29. Rights of children
(1) Children shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to
acquire a nationality and subject to legislation enacted in the best
interests of children, to know and be cared for by their parents.
(2) Children under the age of sixteen years shall be entitled to be
protected from economic exploitation and shall not be employed in or
required to perform work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere
with their education or be harmful to their health or physical, mental,
spiritual, moral or social development.
(3) A juvenile offender who is kept in lawful custody shall be kept
separately from adult offenders.
30. Right to education
All persons shall have the right to equal educational opportunities and
facilities and with a view to achieving the full realisation of that right -
(a) basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all;
(b) secondary education, including technical and vocational
education, shall be made generally available and accessible to all by
every appropriate means, and in particular, by progressive introduction
of free education;
(c) higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the
basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular, by
progressive introduction of free education;
(d) functional literacy shall be encouraged or intensified as far as
possible;
(e) the development of a system of schools with adequate facilities
at all levels shall be actively pursued.
31. Rights of the disabled
(1) The right of the disabled and handicapped to respect and
human dignity shall be recognised by the state and society.
(2) Disabled persons shall be entitled to protection against
exploitation and to protection against discrimination, in particular as
regards access to health services, education and employment.
(3) In any judicial proceedings in which a disabled person is party,
the procedure shall take his or her condition into account.
32. Culture
Every person shall be entitled to enjoy, practise, profess, maintain and
promote any culture, language, tradition or religion subject to the
terms of this Constitution and to the condition that the rights protected
by this section do not impinge on the rights and freedoms of others or
the national interest, especially unity.
33. Protection from discrimination
(1) All persons shall be equal before the law.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), no law shall make
any provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
(3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), no person shall be
treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of
any law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or
public authority.
(4) In this section, the expression "discrimination" means affording
different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to
their respective descriptions by race, colour, gender, language, religion,
political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or
other status whereby persons of one such description are subjected to
disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description
are not made subject, or are accorded privileges or advantages which
are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(5) Subsection (2) shall not apply to any law in so far as that law
makes provision -
(a) with respect to persons who are not citizens of The Gambia or to
qualifications for citizenship;
(b) with respect to the qualifications prescribed by this Constitution
for any office;
(c) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of
property on death or other matters of personal law;
(d) for the application in the case of members of a particular race
or tribe of customary law with respect to any matter in the case of
persons who, under that law, are subject to that law.
(6) Subsection (3) shall not apply to anything which is expressly or
by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provision
of law as is referred to in subsection (5).
(7) The exercise of any discretion relating to the institution, conduct
or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is
vested in any person by the Constitution or under any other law shall
not be enquired into by any court on the grounds that it contravenes
the provisions of subsection (3).
34. Declaration of state of pubic emergency
(1) The President may, at any time, by Proclamation published in
the Gazette, declare that -
(a) a state of public emergency exists in the whole or any part of
The Gambia;
(b) a situation exists which, if it is allowed to continue, may lead to
a state of public emergency.
(2) A declaration made under this section shall lapse at the
expiration of a period of seven days, or if the National Assembly is not
then in session twenty-one days, beginning on the day on which the
Proclamation is published in the Gazette unless, before the expiration
of that period, it has been approved by a resolution of the National
Assembly supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the
members thereof.
(3) A declaration made under subsection (1) may at any time be
revoked by the President by Proclamation which shall be published in
the Gazette.
(4) A declaration made under subsection (1) that has been
approved by a resolution of the National Assembly shall, subject to
subsection (3), remain in force so long as that resolution remains in
force and no longer.
(5) A resolution of the National Assembly passed for the purpose of
this section shall remain in force for ninety days or such shorter period
as may be specified therein:
Provided that -
(a) any such resolution may be extended from time to time by a
further resolution supported -
(i) in the case of a first extension, by the votes [incomplete – ed]
(ii) in the case of a subsequent extension, the votes of not less
than three quarters of all the members of the National Assembly,
but no extension shall exceed ninety days from the date of the
resolution effecting the extension; and
(b) any such resolution may be revoked at any time by a resolution
supported by the vote of the majority of all the members of the
National Assembly.
(6) Any provision of this section that a declaration shall lapse or
cease to be in force at any particular time shall be without prejudice to
the making of a further declaration under this section whether before or
after that time.
35. Derogation of fundamental [rights under] emergency powers
(1) An Act of the National Assembly may authorise the taking,
during any period of emergency, of measures that are reasonably
justifiable for dealing with the situation that exists in The Gambia.
(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of such an Act
shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of sections 19,
23, 24 (other than subsections (5) to (8) thereof) or 25 of this
Constitution to the extent that it is reasonably justifiable in the
circumstances arising or existing during a period of public emergency
for the purpose of dealing with the situation.
36. Persons detained under emergency powers
(1) Where a person is detained by virtue of or under any Act of the
National Assembly referred to in section 35, the following provisions
shall apply -
(a) he or she shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any
case not later than twenty four hours after the commencement of
detention, be furnished with a statement in writing specifying in detail
the grounds upon which he or she is detained; and the statement shall
be read, and, if necessary, interpreted to the person who is detained in
a language which he or she understands;
(b) the spouse, parent, child or other available next-of-kin of the
person detained shall be informed by the authority effecting the
detention and shall be permitted access to the person concerned at the
earliest practicable opportunity, and in any case not later than twenty-
four hours after the commencement of the detention;
(c) where none of the persons mentioned in paragraph (b) can be
traced or none of them is willing and able to see the person detained,
the person who is detained shall be informed of this fact within twenty
four hours of the commencement of the detention and he or she shall
be informed of his or her right to name and give particulars of some
other person who shall have the same right of access to the person
who is detained as any of the persons mentioned in paragraph (b);
(d) not more than fourteen days after the commencement of his or
her detention, the authority which effected the same shall give notice in
the Gazette stating that he or she has been detained and giving
particulars of the provision of law under which the detention is
authorised;
(e) not more than thirty days after the commencement of his or her
detention, and after that at intervals of not more than ninety days
during the continuance of his or her detention, the case of the person
concerned shall be reviewed by a tribunal as provided in subsection (2);
(f) the person who is detained shall be afforded every possible
facility to consult a legal practitioner of his or her choice who shall be
permitted to make representation to the tribunal appointed to review
the case;
(g) at the hearing before the tribunal appointed for the review of
his or her case, the person detained shall be entitled to appear in
person or by a legal practitioner of his or her choice and at his or her
own expense.
(2) A tribunal appointed to review the cases of persons who have
been detained shall be composed of three persons being, or qualified
to be appointed as, judges of the High Court.
(3) A tribunal composed of the same members shall not review
more than once the case of a particular person who has been detained.
(4) On review by a tribunal of the case of a person who has been
detained, the tribunal may order the release of the person or it may
uphold the detention; and the authority by which the detention was
ordered shall act in accordance with the decision of the tribunal for the
release of any person.
(5) No person may be detained under or by virtue of an Act of the
National Assembly referred to in section 35 during any state of
emergency in excess of a total of one hundred and eighty two days
(whether such days are consecutive or not) and, on the expiry of that
period, any person who has been so detained shall be entitled to
invoke the provisions of section 19 (right to personal liberty).
(6) In every month during the period in which a state of public
emergency is in force and in which there is a sitting of the National
Assembly, a Secretary of State authorised by the President shall make
a report to the National Assembly of the number of persons detained
by virtue of or under an Act of the National Assembly to which section
35 refers and the number of cases in which the authority which ordered
the detention has acted in accordance with the decisions of the tribunal
as provided in subsection (4).
(7) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that where the
declaration of a state of public emergency is revoked or otherwise
ceases to be in force, any person who is in detention or in custody by
virtue of or under an Act of the National Assembly to which section 35
refers, other than a person sentenced to imprisonment by a court for
an offence against such a law for a term which has not then expired,
shall be released immediately without further order.
37. Enforcement of protective provisions
(1) If any person alleges that any of the provisions of sections 18
to 33 or section 36(5) of this Chapter has been, is being, or is likely to
be contravened in relation to himself or herself by any person he or
she may apply to the High Court for redress.
(2) An application may be made under this section in the case of a
person who is detained by some other person acting on the detained
person’s behalf.
(3) An application under this section shall be without prejudice to
any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully
available.
(4) If in any proceedings in any court subordinate to the High Court
any question arises as to the contravention of any of the provisions of
the said sections 18 to 33 or section 36(5), that court may, and shall if
any party so requests, refer the question to the High Court, unless, in
the opinion of the subordinate court, the raising of the question is
merely frivolous or vexatious.
(5) The High Court shall -
(a) hear and determine any application made by any person
pursuant to subsection (1) or (2);
(b) determine any question arising in the case of any person which
is referred to it in pursuance of subsection (4);
and may, in addition to the powers conferred on it by section 5 (which
relates to defence of the Constitution) make such order, issue such
writ, and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the
purposes of enforcing or securing the enforcement of any of the
provisions of the said sections 18 to 33 or section 36(5) to the
protection of which the person concerned is entitled:
Provided that the High Court may decline to exercise its powers under
this subsection if it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the
contravention alleged are or have been available to the person
concerned under any other law.
(6) The High Court shall consider every application and reference
referred to it in pursuance of this section and, having heard arguments
by or on behalf of the parties, shall pronounce its decision on the
question in open court as soon as may be, and in the case of reference
under subsection (4), not later than thirty days after the conclusion of
the final addresses of the parties.
(7) An Act of the National Assembly may confer on the High Court
such powers in addition to those conferred by this section as may
appear to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the
court more effectively to exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by
this section.
(8) The rights, duties, declarations and guarantees relating to the
fundamental rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in this Chapter
shall not be regarded as excluding other rights which may be
prescribed by Acts of the National Assembly as inherent in a democracy
and intended to secure the freedom and dignity of man.
38. Interpretation of Chapter IV
(1) In this Chapter, save where the context otherwise requires –
“a period of public emergency” means any period during which The
Gambia is at war or a declaration is in force under section 34;
“contravention” in relation to any requirement, includes a failure to
comply with that requirement, and cognate expressions shall be
construed accordingly:
“court” means any court of law in The Gambia other than a district
tribunal or, save as provided in subsection (2), a court constituted
under service law;
“defence force” means any naval, military or air force of The Gambia;
“member” in relation to a defence force, includes persons who, under
the law regulating the discipline of that force, are subject to that
discipline;
“owner” includes any person deprived of any right or interest pursuant
to section 22;
“service law” means the law regarding the discipline of a defence force
or of the Police Force or the Prison Service or any disciplined volunteer
force.
(2) In relation to an offence against service law, a reference to
“court” –
(a) in sections 18 to 20, subsections (2), (3), (4), (6) (but not the
proviso thereto) of section 24, subsection (3) of section 25, subsection
(8) of section 33 and subsection (2) of section 37 includes a reference
to a court constituted by or under service law;
(b) in sections 19 and 20 and subsection (8) of section 33, includes
an officer of a defence force and of the Police Force.
(3) Reference in sections 18, 19 and 22 to a “criminal offence” shall
be construed as including references to an offence against service law
and such references in subsections (4) to (9) of section 24 shall, in
relation to proceedings before a court constituted by or under service
law, be similarly construed.
(4) In relation to any person who is a member of an armed force
raised otherwise than under the law of The Gambia and lawfully present
in The Gambia, nothing contained in or done under the authority of the
disciplinary law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter.
…
CHAPTER V: REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE
PART 1: The Franchise
39. The right to vote and be registered
(1) Every citizen of The Gambia being eighteen years or older and
of sound mind shall have the right to vote for the purpose of elections
of a President and members of the National Assembly and shall be
entitled to be registered as a voter in a National Assembly constituency
for that purpose.
(2) Every citizen of The Gambia who is a registered voter shall be
entitled to vote in a referendum held in accordance with this
Constitution or any other law.
(3) Every citizen of The Gambia being of the age of eighteen years
or older and of sound mind shall be entitled, in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter and any Act of the National Assembly
providing for such elections, to vote in elections for local government
authorities and traditional rulers in the area in which he or she is
ordinarily resident.
40. Secret ballot
All public elections and all referenda voting shall be by secret ballot.
...
PART 2: The Independent Electoral Commission
42. The Commission
(1) There shall be an Independent Electoral Commission for The
Gambia which shall be part of the public service.
…
45. Electoral laws
An Act of the National Assembly may make further provisions for the
purposes of this part.
…
PART 7: Political Parties
60. Political parties
(1) No association, other than a political party registered under or
pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly, shall sponsor candidates
for public elections.
(2) No association shall be registered or remain registered as a
political party if –
(a) it is formed or organized on an ethnic, sectional, religious or
regional basis;
(b) its internal organisation does not conform with democratic
principles; or
(c) it purpose is to subvert this Constitution or the rule of law.
(3) An Act of the National Assembly shall make provisions for the
better implementation of this section.
…
CHAPTER VI: THE EXECUTIVE
PART 1: The President
…
67. Misconduct by the President
(1) The President may be removed from office in accordance with
this section on any of the following grounds –
(a) abuse of office, wilful violation of the oath of allegiance or the
President’s oath of office, or wilful violation of any provision of this
Constitution, or
…
CHAPTER VII: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND LEGISLATION
…
PART 3: Legislative and other powers of the National Assembly
100. The legislative power
(1) The legislative power of The Gambia shall be exercised by Bills
passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President.
(2) The National Assembly shall not pass a Bill –
(a) to establish a one party state;
(b) to establish any religion as a state religion; or
(c) to alter the decision or judgment of a court in any proceedings
to the prejudice of any party to those proceedings, or deprive any
person retroactively of vested or acquired rights, but subject thereto,
the National Assembly may pass Bills designed to have retroactive
effect.
…
CHAPTER VIII: THE JUDICATURE
PART 1: The Courts of The Gambia
120. The courts and the judicial power
(1) The Courts of The Gambia are:
(a) The Superior Courts comprising:
(i) the Supreme Court;
(ii) the Court of Appeal;
(iii) the High Court and the Special Criminal Court; and
(b) the Magistrates Court, the Cadi Court, District Tribunals and
such lower courts and tribunals as may be established by an Act of the
National Assembly.
(2) The judicial power of The Gambia is vested in the courts and
shall be exercised by them according to the respective jurisdictions
conferred on them by law.
(3) In the exercise of their judicial functions, the courts, the judges
and other holders of judicial office shall be independent and shall be
subject only to this Constitution and the law, and, save as provided in
this Chapter, shall not be subject to the control or direction of any other
person or authority.
...
PART 2: The Superior Courts
A: The Supreme Court
...
127. Original jurisdiction
(1) The Supreme Court shall have an exclusive original jurisdiction -
(a) for the interpretation or enforcement of any provision of this
Constitution other than any provision of sections 18 to 33 or section 36
(5) (which relate to fundamental rights and freedoms);
(b) on any question whether any law was made in excess of the
powers conferred by the Constitution or any other law upon the National
Assembly or any other person or authority;
…
(2) Where any question referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) of
subsection (1) arises in any proceedings in any other court, that court
shall stay its proceedings and refer the matter to the Supreme Court
for its determination, and such other court shall give effect to any
decision of the Supreme Court in the matter.
...
C: The High Court
132. Jurisdiction of High Court
(1) Save as provided in section 127, the High Court shall have
original jurisdiction –
(a) to hear and determine all civil and criminal proceedings;
(b) to interpret and enforce the fundamental rights and freedoms
as provided in section 18 to 33 and section 36(5), and in the exercise
of such jurisdiction, the Court shall have all such power and authority as
may be conferred by this Constitution or any other law.
…
CHAPTER X: THE OMBUDSMAN
163. National Assembly to establish office of the Ombudsman
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, an Act of the
National Assembly shall within six months of the coming into force of
this Constitution establish the office of Ombudsman and provision for
his or her functions and duties -
...
165. Independence of Ombudsman
(1) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, in the exercise of his
or her functions, the Ombudsman and a deputy Ombudsman shall not
be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority
but subject only to the Constitution and the law.
(2) All departments, authorities and other public bodies which are
subject to investigation by the Ombudsman shall accord such
assistance as he or she may require for the protection of the
independence, dignity and effectiveness of the Ombudsman in the
performance of his or her functions.
…
CHAPTER XI: THE PUBLIC SERVICE
PART 1: Offices in the public service
…
169. Protection of public servants
(1) No public servant shall be –
(a) victimised or discriminated against either directly or indirectly for
having discharged his or other duties faithfully and according to law; or
(b) be removed from office or reduced in rank or otherwise
punished without just cause.
…
CHAPTER XIV: LAND COMMISSION
…
192. Land Commission
There shall be established a Land Commission whose composition,
functions and powers shall be prescribed by an Act of the National
Assembly.
…
CHAPTER XVII: THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CIVIC EDUCATION
198. National Council for Civic Education
There shall be established a National Council for Civic Education whose
composition, functions and powers shall be prescribed by an Act of the
National Assembly.
199. Functions of the Council
(1) The functions of the National Council for Civic Education shall
be –
(a) to create and sustain within society an awareness of the principles
and objectives of this Constitution as the fundamental law of The
Gambia;
(b) to educate and encourage the public to defend this Constitution
against all forms of abuse and violence;
(c) to formulate, from time to time, for the consideration of the
government, programmes at national and district levels aimed at
realising the object of this Constitution;
(d) to formulate, implement and oversee programmes aimed at
inculcating in the citizens of The Gambia awareness of their civic and
fundamental rights, duties and responsibilities;
(e) to educate the citizens of The Gambia about international,
regional and sub-regional matters relevant to The Gambia; and
(f) such other function as an Act of the National Assembly may
prescribe.
(2) An Act of the National Assembly may provide for the
establishment of district branches of the Council.
(3) In the exercise of its functions, the Council shall be apolitical
and, save as may be provided by an Act of the National Assembly,
shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or
authority.
…
CHAPTER XVIII: COMMISSIONS OF ENQUIRY
207. Freedom and responsibility of the media
(1) The freedom and independence of the press and other
information media are hereby guaranteed.
(2) An Act of the National Assembly may make provisions for the
establishment and operation of the press and other information media.
(3) The press and other information media shall at all times, be
free to uphold the principles, provisions and objectives of this
Constitution, and the responsibility and accountability of the
government to the people of The Gambia.
208. Responsibility of state owned media
All state owned newspapers, journal, radio and television shall afford
fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views
and dissenting opinion.
209. Limitations on rights and freedoms
The provisions of sections 207 and 208 are subject to laws which are
reasonably required in a democratic society in the interest of national
security, public orders, public morality and for the purpose of protecting
the reputations, rights and freedoms of others.
210. National Media Commission
An Act of the National Assembly shall within one year of the coming into
force of this Constitution make provision for the establishment of a
National Media Commission to establish a code of conduct for the
media of mass communication and information and to ensure the
impartiality, independence and professionalism of the media which is
necessary in a democratic society.
CHAPTER XX: DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY
211. Application of the directive principles of state policy
The principles of state policy in this Chapter shall form part of the
public policy of The Gambia for the establishment of a just, free and
democratic state. These principles shall not confer legal rights or be
enforceable in any court but -
(a) subject to the limits of the economic capacity and development of
The Gambia, the executive, the legislature and all other organs of the
state in taking policy decisions, making laws and in the administration
of The Gambia, shall according to their respective functions be guided
by and observe them with a view to achieving by legislation or
otherwise the full realisation of these principles; and
(b) the courts are entitled to have regard to these principles in
interpreting any laws based on them.
212. National integration and unity
(1) All organs of the state shall strive towards the realisation of
national unity, peace and stability.
(2) Every effort shall be made to integrate the people of The Gambia
and foster loyalty to The Gambia without discrimination.
(3) All the people of The Gambia shall be entitled to their ethnic,
religious and cultural values which do not disturb the unity or cohesion
of the state.
213. National sovereignty and independence
(1) The state and all citizens of The Gambia shall endeavour to
protect and enhance national sovereignty including social, political, and
economic independence and territorial integrity.
(2) The state shall pursue policies which avoid undue dependence on
other nations and institutions.
214. Political objectives
(1) The Gambia shall be a democratic state dedicated to freedom,
peace, progress, prosperity and justice.
(2) The people shall express their will and consent as to who shall
govern them and how they shall be governed, through regular, free
and fair elections of their representatives.
(3) The state shall be guided by the principles of decentralisation
and the devolution of governmental functions and powers to the people
at appropriate levels of control to facilitate democratic governance.
(4) In the composition of the government women shall be fairly
represented.
(5) The government, with due regard to the principles of an open
and democratic society, shall foster accountability and transparency at
all levels of government.
215. Economic objectives
(1) The state shall endeavour to create an economic environment
that maximises the rate of economic growth and employment and
secures the maximum welfare and prosperity for all persons in The
Gambia.
(2) The state shall endeavour to keep inflation under control.
(3) Recognising that the most secure democracy is one that assures
the basic necessities of life for its people, the state shall endeavour to
establish an efficient, dynamic and self-reliant economy whose
underlying principles shall include ensuring:
(a) ample and equal opportunity for all citizens and a pronounced
role for the private sector, and the encouragement of private initiative;
(b) that persons bear their fair share of social and national
responsibilities including their responsibility to contribute to the
development of the country; and
(c) a balanced development of all parts of The Gambia,
improvement in the quality of life in rural communities and redressing
economic imbalances between rural and urban communities.
(4) The state shall pursue a policy of:
(a) giving adequate priority to those sectors of the economy which
promote national prosperity;
(b) promoting the development of agriculture and related industry;
(c) encouraging and protecting beneficial foreign investment;
(d) protecting the environment of the nation for posterity; and
(e) co-operation with other nations and bodies to protect the global
environment.
(5) The state shall endeavour to ensure equal opportunity and full
participation for women in the economic development of the country.
216. Social objectives
(1) The state shall endeavour to secure and promote a society
founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice, tolerance,
probity and accountability.
(2) The state shall pursue policies to protect the rights and freedoms
of the disabled, the aged, children and other vulnerable members of
society and to ensure that such persons are provided just and
equitable social opportunities.
(3) The state, in pursuing policies in subsection (2), shall be bound
by the fundamental rights and freedoms in the Constitution and shall
be guided by international human rights instruments to which The
Gambia is a signatory and which recognise and apply particular
categories of basic human rights to development processes.
(4) The state shall endeavour to facilitate equal access to clean and
safe water, adequate health and medical services, habitable shelter,
sufficient food and security to all persons.
(5) The state shall encourage and promote the establishment and
maintenance of contributory schemes that shall provide economic
security for all citizens.
(6) The state shall endeavour to ensure safe systems of working
conditions for persons who are employed and to provide that such
persons are entitled to adequate rest, leave and leisure.
(7) The state shall endeavour to ensure that adequate sports
facilities are established throughout The Gambia and that sports are
promoted as a means of fostering national integration, health and self-
discipline and international friendship and understanding.
217. Educational objectives
(1) The state shall endeavour to provide adequate educational
opportunities at all levels of study for all citizens.
(2) The state shall pursue policies to ensure basic education for all
citizens and shall endeavour to provide adequate resources so that
such tuition for basic education shall be free for all citizens.
(3) The state shall endeavour to provide skills training centres.
(4) The state shall take measures to create an adult literacy
programme, rehabilitative vocational training for the disabled, and
continuing education programmes.
218. Cultural objectives
The state and all the people of The Gambia shall strive to protect,
preserve and foster the languages, historic sites, cultural, natural and
artistic heritage of The Gambia.
219. Foreign relations
The state shall endeavour to ensure that in international relations it:
(a) promotes and protects the interests of The Gambia;
(b) seeks the establishment of a just and equitable international
economic and social order;
(c) fosters respect for international law, treaty obligations and the
settlement of international disputes by peaceful means; and
(d) is guided by the principles and goals of international and regional
organisations of which The Gambia is a signatory.
220. Duties of a citizen
(1) The exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms are
inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations, and
accordingly, every citizen shall:
(a) promote the prestige and good reputation of The Gambia and
respect the symbols of The Gambia;
(b) uphold and defend the Constitution;
(c) foster national unity and live harmoniously with others;
(d) respect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of others
and refrain from acting in a manner detrimental to the welfare of other
persons;
(e) serve The Gambia by working conscientiously in his or her
chosen occupation;
(f) protect and preserve public property and expose and combat
misuse and waste of public funds and property;
(g) contribute to the well-being of the community in which the
citizen lives;
(h) be loyal to The Gambia and contribute to its defence when
necessary;
(i) co-operate with the appropriate agencies in the maintenance of
law and order; and
(j) protect and conserve the environment of The Gambia.
(2) It shall be the duty of every citizen to abide by and conform
with the provisions set out in subsection (1), but such duties shall not,
of themselves, render any person liable to proceedings of any kind in
any court.
…
CHAPTER XXII: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
226. Alteration of this Constitution
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an Act of the National
Assembly may alter this Constitution.
(2) Subject to subsection (4), a bill for an Act of the National
Assembly under this section shall not be passed by the National
Assembly or presented to the President for assent unless –
(a) before the first reading of the Bill in the National Assembly, the
Bill is published in at least two issues of the Gazette, the latest
publication being not less than three months after the first, and the Bill
is introduced into the National Assembly not earlier than ten days after
the latest publication; and
(b) the Bill is supported on the second and third readings by the
votes of not less than three quarters of all the members of the
National Assembly.
(3) If the President fails to assent within thirty days to a Bill passed
by the National Assembly in accordance with subsection (2), the Bill
shall be returned to the Speaker who shall refer it to the Independent
Electoral Commission. The Independent Electoral Commission shall
cause a referendum to be held on the Bill in accordance with subsection
(4) and, if the Bill is supported on such a referendum by the majority
provided for in that subsection, it shall again by presented to the
President for his assent.
…
SCHEDULE 2: TRANSITIONAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS
…
Legal Proceedings
(13) (1) No member of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council,
any person appointed Minister by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council, or other appointees of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council shall be held liable or answerable before a Court or authority or
under this Constitution or any other law, either jointly or severally, for
an act or omission in the performance of his or her official duties.
(2) After the coming into force of this Constitution, it shall not be
lawful for any court or tribunal to entertain any action or take any
decision or make any order or grant any remedy or relief in any
proceedings instituted against the Government of The Gambia or any
person acting under the authority of the Government of The Gambia, or
against any person or persons acting in concert or individually to assist
or bring about the change in government which took place on the
twenty second day of July 1994, in respect of any act or omission
relating to, or consequent upon:
(a) the overthrow of the government in power before the formation
of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council;
(b) the suspension or abrogation of the Constitution of The Gambia
1970;
(c) the establishment of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council; or
(d) the establishment of this Constitution.
(3) For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that no action taken
or purported to have been taken in the exercise of the executive,
legislative or judicial power by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council or a member thereof, or by any person appointed by the
Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council in the name of the Armed
Forces Provisional Ruling Council except judges of the Supreme Court
or the Court of Appeal, shall be questioned in any proceedings
whatsoever and, accordingly, it shall not be lawful for any court or
tribunal to make any order or grant any remedy or relief in respect of
any such act.
(4) The provisions of subparagraph (3) shall have effect
notwithstanding that any such action as is referred to in that
subparagraph was not taken in accordance with any procedure
prescribed by law.
(5) It shall not be lawful for any court or tribunal to entertain an
action instituted in respect of an act or omission against a person
acting or omitting to act on the instructions or authority of the Armed
Forces Provisional Ruling Council, or a member thereof, and alleged to
be in contravention of any law whether substantive or procedural, in
existence before or during the administration of the Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council.
…
(15) Abrogation of 1970 Constitution
The Constitution of The Gambia 1970 (Act No1 of 1970) is hereby
abrogated.
(16) Substitution of life imprisonment for death penalty
Where any law makes provision for a sentence of death in any case
other than that provided for in section 18(2), the law shall have effect
as if imprisonment for life were substituted for that penalty.
(17) Paragraphs not to be amended
The National Assembly shall have no power to pass a Bill to amend or
repeal this paragraph or paragraph 11, 12, 13 or 14 of this Schedule.
Constitution
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