Posted by By Ousainou Darboe
The lawsuit involving seven female Muslim students against five (5) schools for forcing them to remove their veils, was on 4th May 2023 mentioned at the High Court in Banjul before Justice Jaiteh.
The Applicants want the court to enforce their fundamental right which includes the legalization of wearing veils in schools in The Gambia.
The lawyer for the Applicants (Seven students) are represented by Lawyer Borry Touray, Lawyer Isatou Jallow, and Lawyer Babucarr Badjie.
Meanwhile, the Respondents are; the Gambia Senior Secondary School, St Therese’s Upper Basic School, Reverend J C Faye Memorial School, St Peter’s Senior Secondary School, Charles Jow Memorial School, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and, the Ministry of Justice.
Lawyer Binga B and MB Sowe are representing Respondents 1, 7, and 8; Lawyer Richel Y. Mendy is representing Respondents 2 and 5; Lawyer S. Kelidy is representing Respondent 3; Lawyer A. Mendy is representing Respondent 4 and Lawyer Yassin Senghore is representing respondent 6.
The team of defence counsel filed a statement of defence of the lawsuit against the 5 schools and the plaintiffs are asked to reply.
The case is adjourned to 20th June 2023 for hearing.