From 18 to 21 May 2026, the HRDN-SL team conducted a joint monitoring visit, alongside representatives from the Embassy of Ireland, to our regional offices in the Kenema, Moyamba, and Bombali districts.

The purpose of the visit was to review the implementation of our Building Resilience, Inclusiveness and Capacity of Human Rights Defenders in Sierra Leone (BRIC) project, which is implemented by the Network with support from The Irish Embassy. 

The BRIC project strengthens the resilience of human rights defenders (HRDs), enhances the capacity of district-based networks, improves societal inclusion and human rights education, and has the following objectives:

1. Improved operating environment for human rights defenders.

2. Increased human rights awareness, accountability and coordination.

3. Increased participation of stakeholders (HRDs, youths, local councils, chiefdom authorities, security, etc.) in human rights.

The visit involved the participation of district-based HRDs, local councils, secretariat staff, security sector experts, volunteers, graduates and local stakeholders. We gathered information about the project’s progress, results achieved, core challenges and lessons learned, to inform recommendations going forward. The specific objectives of the field visit included the following: 

1. Assess how the project has contributed to strengthening the capacity, safety and security of human rights defenders (HRDs).

2. Identify how the project has contributed to improved human rights awareness.

3. Discuss the role of local councils in human rights promotion and protection.

4. Identify emerging human rights challenges and issues, including the operating environment for HRDs.

5. Physically visit regional offices of the network and discuss capacity support and challenges.

HRDN-SL remains deeply grateful for the generous support of Ireland, whose partnership continues to make this important work possible. Together, we are advancing a stronger culture of human rights, accountability, and civic engagement in Sierra Leone.