committed serious human rights abuses during his rule to be brought to justice. Ousmane Sonko, Minister of Interior from 2006 until he fled the country in September 2016, faced investigation in Switzerland for crimes against humanity committed during President Jammeh’s rule. On 13 December, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) bill to examine events during President Jammeh’s rule, was passed by the National Assembly, following consultation on the bill with national and international actors. On 10 August, a Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate Yahya Jammeh’s alleged mismanagement of public finances and abuse of office. The government also froze assets believed to belong to him. A Panel on Missing Persons, a specialized police unit investigating enforced disappearances during President Jammeh’s rule, was created in February. In March, the bodies of four people, possible victims of enforced disappearance, were exhumed, including that of Solo Sandeng. It is expected to submit the list of missing people to be investigated by the TRRC. RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX PEOPLE Same-sex relations remained criminalized. A law approved in October 2014, for example, imposed sentences of up to life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality” offences. LGBTI people continued to suffer discrimination and threats from non-state actors. SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS In November, the government and development partners launched the Comprehensive Sexuality Education programme to be delivered in schools. Despite laws criminalizing female genital mutilation (FGM), it remained widespread. The government and development partners developed a communication strategy to further educate communities about the harms of FGM. Amnesty International Report 2017/18 Abortion remained a criminal offence, except in cases where the pregnant woman’s life was at risk. 1. Gambia: Adama Barrow must not forget his big promises (News story, 19 January); Gambia: State of Emergency no licence for repression (News story, 18 January) 2. Gambia: Response to the departure of Yahya Jammeh (News story, 22 January) 3. Gambia: Progress in first 100 days of Barrow government requires major reform to break with brutal past (News story, 27 April) GEORGIA Georgia Head of state: Giorgi Margvelashvili Head of government: Giorgi Kvirikashvili Continued impunity for human rights abuses committed by law enforcement officials emphasized the need for an independent investigation mechanism. A legal dispute over a pro-opposition TV channel caused concern about judicial independence and media freedom. The fencing of the de facto border around the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia continued to have a negative impact on local residents’ economic and social rights. BACKGROUND The Parliament – under the majority ruling party Georgian Dream – adopted a new Constitution in October. It deferred until 2024 the introduction of a fully proportional electoral system, which the opposition had long been seeking, and ensured that from 2024 mandates won by political parties that fail to reach the election threshold are assigned to the winning party. Under the new rules, electoral blocs will no longer be allowed from 2020, and the president will no longer be elected by direct popular vote after 2018. In December, Parliament started the process of changing the Constitution again to accommodate some of the opposition’s demands which were excluded from the new Constitution. 171