Section 18 (1) of the constitution of the Gambia provides...

Section 18 (1) of the constitution of the Gambia provides for the protection of the right to life in the following terms:
"No person shall be deprived of his or her life intentionally except in the execution of a sentence of death imposed by a court of competence jurisdiction in respect of a criminal offence for which the penalty is death under the laws of The Gambia as they have effect in accordance with subsection (2) and of which he or she has been lawfully convicted."
Juvenile offenders or young persons may be subjected to the death penalty if they commit serious offences that ordinarily carry the death penalty. They may be however detained in custody pending the exercise of the prerogative powers of the executive President of The Gambia.
Section 11 (1) of the Children and Young Persons Act, states that: "No child shall be ordered to be imprisoned"
A young person may be imprisoned if he or she could not be suitably dealt with through probation or fine. They may also be imprisoned provided they do not associate with adult prisoners. However, the death penalty should not be applicable to children or young persons absolutely and the Death Penalty Restoration Decree 1995 (Decree No 52/95) should be amended to reflect this view.