NHRC calls for stronger action on climate change, human rights

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has underscored the urgent need to address the devastating impact of climate change and human rights, calling for stronger policies, accountability, and collaboration among all stakeholders. Speaking at the popularisation of NHRC Climate Change and Human Rights Study 2025, Commissioner Njundu Drammeh described climate change as “an existential threat to our survival on earth,” stressing that every individual and institution has a role to play in mitigating its effects. The NHRC presented findings from a study conducted last year, which examined how climate change is affecting communities across The Gambia.

The research highlighted the experiences of men, women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, who reported severe disruptions to their livelihoods due to rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and the adverse effects of El Niño. Commissioner Drammeh emphasised that the state, as the primary duty bearer, must ensure that laws, frameworks, and policies are not only in place but effectively implemented. “Policies and strategies should not become scarecrows mere symbols without real impact,” he warned. The Commissioner also called for stronger collaboration between the NHRC, civil society organizations, and climate justice activists. “We must amplify the voices of communities at the highest level, ensuring that those responsible for decision-making hear and act on their concerns,” he said. Barisu Bah, Director of Legal and Investigation, emphasised that while the NHRC’s initial mandate focused on civil and political rights, its scope has expanded to include environmental concerns due to their direct link to human rights. “Human rights are broad in nature, and climate change though often overlooked in…