Gambia: GOVI Calls for Accessible Books Post-Marrakesh Treaty Ratification

The Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired (GOVI) has called for action to make books and other published materials available in accessible formats, following The Gambia’s adoption and ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. This call marks a critical step in translating international legal commitments into tangible domestic action for disability rights.

This development holds significant legal implications for practitioners, particularly those in intellectual property law, disability rights, and education. The ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty by The Gambia signals a clear intent to remove copyright barriers that hinder access to published works for print-disabled persons. For publishers, educational institutions, and content creators, this means a future obligation to provide accessible formats or to facilitate their creation, potentially leading to new domestic legislation, regulations, or even litigation concerning accessibility standards and non-discrimination. It underscores a growing area of law focused on inclusive access to information.

The legal context is primarily the Marrakesh Treaty itself, an international copyright treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which creates mandatory exceptions and limitations for the benefit of blind, visually impaired, and otherwise print-disabled persons. This treaty complements the broader United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which The Gambia has likely also ratified, affirming the right to access information. The challenge now lies in the domestic implementation of the treaty, which will require amendments to national copyright laws and potentially the enactment of specific disability rights legislation to ensure its provisions are enforceable within The Gambia.

Key parties involved include The Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired (GOVI), the Gambian government (specifically the Ministry responsible for treaty ratification and implementation), and implicitly, publishers, educational institutions, libraries, and other content providers. The excerpt does not report any specific legal rulings or outcomes, but rather a call to action following the treaty's ratification, indicating that the practical implementation phase is now beginning.

Attorneys advising publishers, educational institutions, government agencies, and technology companies in The Gambia should proactively assess their compliance with the spirit and future domestic implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty. This includes reviewing existing copyright policies, exploring partnerships for accessible format production, and preparing for potential legislative changes or demands for accessible content. Understanding the scope of the treaty's exceptions and limitations will be crucial to ensure inclusivity, avoid future legal challenges related to discrimination or non-compliance, and facilitate access to knowledge for all citizens.