UTG Student Withdraws Petition After Lecturer Apologies

A student who files a petition against his lecturer at the University of the Gambia to the country’s Human Rights Commissions for alleged violations of his rights has withdrawn his petitions after the said lecturer apologies.

Mr. Mustapha Ceesay, a student, wrote a petition to the National Human Rights Commission against Dr. Charles Mendy, a lecturer at the University for allegedly violating his rights.

The withdrawal letter reads as follows:

Dear Sir,

Withdrawal Of Complaint

Reference to my letter dated 14th May 2021 on the subject:“claim of right violation”–a complaint of willful violation of my right to practice my religion–Islam and to manifest such practice as guaranteed under Section 25, subsection c of the 1997 Constitution and articles 8 and 10 (1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Right against Dr. Charles Mendy, lecturer for French 102 at the University of the Gambia who held a lecture in a period [12th–16thMay 2021] designated for the observance of the Eid celebrations as contained in the UTG notice while I was on Eid celebrations; I hereby withdraw the said complaint after the lecturer concerned on 18 May apologised for the act, announced a postponement of the test previously slated for the 21stMay 2021 to a latter day.

The full announcement reads:

“URGENT MESSAGE”

“Due to the fact that so many students were unable to join the Friday 14th online class and the fact that it was declared a lecture–free day, the test that was scheduled to take place on Friday 21st May is postponed to Friday 28th May. I apologize for any inconvenience caused. However the recording of the Friday 14 lecture can be obtained at the WhatsApp groups,” it concludes.

In conclusion, I have wholeheartedly accepted his apology and welcomed his decision to postpone the test while I catch up with the recording of the 14thMay lecture.

Disclaimer:This complaint is NOT Islam vs. Christianity but Mustapha Ceesay vs. Dr.Charles Mendy in the context of rights violation as per the 1997 Constitution and The African Charter On Human and People’s Rights.

Sincerely,

Signed,

Mustapha Ceesay,