From 6 to 21 April the  UNDP Transitional Justice and Human Rights (TJHR) Project and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), World Health Organization, Ministry of Health and National Human Rights Council conducted training for 68 Gambia Police Force and Gambia Prison Service officers (27 female) on COVID-19 prevention measures, public order management and human rights obligations.

The key objectives of the training included increasing knowledge on public order management during state of emergencies and prevention methods against COVID-19; human rights norms and obligations during state of emergencies; supporting trainees in the organization of similar trainings at their respective institutions and receiving information from security personnel on their current hindrances in the implementation of the Government’s COVID-19 Plan and note recommendations to this effect. One of the prevailing request from security personnel was the need for protective equipment as they discharge their duties and the need to sensitise citizens on their responsibilities as citizens within a public health emergency to be law abiding and avoid violence.

The training ran virtually on ZOOM with a restricted number of persons in training conference room to maximum 10.

"The training has exposed me to the dangers and preventive measures of this vicious pandemic. As a law enforcement officer, it has remindedme to be very cautious of the rights ofnthe people and to play a proactive role in executing my duties." - Mariama Barry, Assistant Officer Commanding, Administration Police Headquarters, Banjul