Upholding Justice, Empowering Gambians
The Rule of Law for Lawyers Association (ROLLA) is dedicated to promoting the rule of law, human rights, and access to justice in The Gambia, improving the lives of Gambians by ensuring fairness, protecting rights, and fostering economic growth through education, advocacy, and legal aid initiatives.Join UsUnderstanding the Problems
The justice system in The Gambia faces numerous challenges, despite recent efforts at reform and transitional justice. These key issues are identified through various sources.
Limited Access to Justice
Access to justice remains limited, especially for marginalised groups such as women, the poor, and rural communities. Barriers include financial costs, geographical distances, and a lack of legal representation and awareness.Delays and Inefficiencies in Legal Processes
The Gambian legal system suffers from significant delays and inefficiencies. Overburdened courts, understaffing, and inadequate funding contribute to prolohampernged case backlogs and slow judicial proceedings.Human Rights Violations and Abuses
The persistence of human rights abuses, particularly prolonged detentions without trial and the inhumane condition of detention facilities, pose a significant challenge to the rule of law. Perpetrators are rarely held accountable.Inadequate Implementation of Legal Reforms
While there have been efforts to reform the legal and judicial framework, the implementation of these reforms has been inconsistent and incomplete. The lack of effective enforcement mechanisms and funding hampers progress.Corruption within the Justice System
Corruption is a pervasive issue that affects the integrity and effectiveness of the justice system. Reports indicate that corruption can influence law enforcement practices and access to justice, thereby eroding public trust in legal institutions.Judicial Autonomy
The independence of the judiciary must be recognized and respected by the government, the National Assembly, and stakeholders, ensuring both administrative and financial autonomy for the judiciary.
Action
At ROLLA, we tackle key challenges in our justice system through targeted initiatives. Our main effort is our pro-bono law program, offering legal aid to individuals detained beyond 72 hours or appealing convictions. We also educate stakeholders, push for crucial legal reforms, and advocate for increased funding to improve efficiency and services in the justice system.
Why ROLLA?
Gambians being detained without trial, prolonged legal cases and manipulated of the system by the wealthy must end. ROLLA, comprising lawyers and paralegals, is dedicated to reforming these injustices. Your support is crucial for driving vital legal reforms and ensuring justice for all.
Founder of ROLLA
Fatma, the founder of ROLLA, is a qualified lawyer in the Gambia, England, and Wales, with experience in various UK government departments. Despite her UK-based career, she maintains strong ties to the Gambian legal community, gaining a deep understanding of its challenges. Motivated by a desire to give back to her homeland, Fatma established ROLLA to address pressing issues within the Gambian justice system.
Fatma M.S. Janneh
Founder
Contact us
Want to learn how you can get involved or support our cause? We'd love to hear from you!
