By Arret Jatta
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched an investigation into controversial remarks attributed to one of its commissioners, Imam Baba Leigh, which attracts widespread public criticism and even calls for his removal.
He was accused of stereotyping the Mandinka community by describing them as “angry people” during an online discussion that went rival.
Leigh later apologised saying his comments were based on what he perceived as anger in some Mandinka online discussions and were not meant to describe the entire ethnic group. He also stressed that he was speaking in his personal capacity.
In a statement on Sunday, the head of the NHRC Emmanuel Joof said the Commission had received several formal complaints over the mattr, and have referred them to its Directorate of Legal and Investigation (DLI), which has started examining the statements, their context and other relevant issues.
The Directorate is expected to engage Leigh and other relevant persons before presenting its findings, legal opinion and recommendations to the Commission.
Joof said the NHRC deliberately avoided making a judgment on the matter because the investigation is still ongoing.
He also clarified that Leigh was on annual leave when the remarks were made and was not speaking for the NHRC.
Joof further rejected the idea that he could simply remove Leigh based on public pressure.
According to him, the appointment, tenure and removal of NHRC commissioners are governed by law and that any removal must follow the process set out in the NHRC Act.
He said the Commission’s investigation should not be seen as an attempt to protect Leigh from accountability, and reaffirmed its zero tolerance for tribalism, hate speech, discrimination and religious intolerance, stressing that these principles must apply regardless of who emakes the statements.