Human Rights Defenders Network Sierra Leone Presents Key Issues at UPR Pre-Session 2018

Freetown, Sierra Leone — 2018

In a pivotal moment for human rights advocacy in Sierra Leone, the Human Rights Defenders Network (HRDN) Sierra Leone presented key concerns and recommendations at the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Pre-Session held in Geneva, Switzerland. The pre-session, which took place in preparation for Sierra Leone’s upcoming UPR review, provided a critical platform for civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders to raise their voices, highlight pressing human rights issues, and push for concrete recommendations to be considered by the UN member states.

Context: The UPR and Its Importance

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council aimed at assessing the human rights practices of all 193 UN member states. Every five years, each country undergoes a review, where its human rights record is evaluated, and recommendations for improvement are made by other member states. Civil society organizations play a vital role in this process, providing input and highlighting issues that may be overlooked.

As Sierra Leone prepared for its third UPR cycle, the HRDN Sierra Leone, alongside other civil society groups, seized the opportunity to ensure that the experiences of human rights defenders, marginalized groups, and vulnerable populations were included in the dialogue. Their participation at the UPR Pre-Session aimed to influence the review process by presenting their recommendations on key human rights challenges facing the country.

Key Issues Raised by HRDN Sierra Leone

During the pre-session, HRDN Sierra Leone raised several critical human rights concerns, shedding light on systemic issues that remain unaddressed and demanding accountability and reforms. These issues included:

1. Protection of Human Rights Defenders

One of the primary concerns raised by HRDN Sierra Leone was the ongoing threats faced by human rights defenders in the country. Despite progress in post-conflict Sierra Leone, activists, journalists, and civil society actors continue to experience intimidation, harassment, and, at times, physical attacks. HRDN highlighted specific cases where human rights defenders were targeted by state and non-state actors for their work in advocating for vulnerable populations and exposing abuses.

HRDN Sierra Leone emphasized the urgent need for the government to enact and enforce stronger legal protections for human rights defenders. This includes implementing the recommendations of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, ensuring that defenders can carry out their work without fear of reprisal, and ensuring that complaints of threats or violence against them are thoroughly investigated.

2. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Women’s Rights

Another significant issue raised was the endemic problem of gender-based violence (GBV) in Sierra Leone. Although the government has taken steps to address GBV through legal reforms such as the Sexual Offenses Act, HRDN Sierra Leone pointed out that these laws have not been fully implemented or accessible to all survivors, especially those in rural or marginalized communities.

HRDN Sierra Leone called for enhanced efforts to:

• Strengthen the enforcement of existing laws.
• Improve access to justice for women and girls who face GBV.
• Establish more comprehensive support systems, including legal aid, psychological support, and economic empowerment for survivors of violence.
• Address the root causes of GBV, including harmful cultural practices and societal norms that perpetuate discrimination and violence against women.

3. Accountability for Police Brutality

The issue of police brutality and the lack of accountability within law enforcement was also a focal point in HRDN Sierra Leone’s presentation. Despite progress in other areas, the network highlighted that security forces, particularly the police, continue to use excessive force, disproportionately targeting marginalized communities and protestors. These acts of violence often go unpunished, and victims rarely receive justice.

HRDN Sierra Leone called for:

• Independent oversight mechanisms to investigate police brutality and misconduct.
• Improved training for law enforcement officials on human rights and the use of non-violent methods of conflict resolution.
• Strengthened measures for holding perpetrators of police violence accountable, including judicial independence and access to remedies for victims.

4. Right to Free Expression and Press Freedom

The HRDN Sierra Leone also raised concerns about the shrinking space for free expression and press freedom. Despite constitutional protections, journalists and activists in Sierra Leone still face intimidation, harassment, and arbitrary detention. This poses a serious threat to the democratic process, as it discourages open discourse and criticism of government policies.

HRDN Sierra Leone called for:

• The decriminalization of press offenses, including libel and defamation, which are often used to silence critical voices.
• Protection of journalists and media workers from violence and harassment.
• Stronger laws to ensure the free flow of information and the protection of individuals exercising their right to free speech.

5. Access to Justice and Legal Reforms

HRDN Sierra Leone highlighted the broader issue of access to justice in the country. Vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, face significant barriers to accessing legal representation and justice. Despite legal reforms, many Sierra Leoneans remain unaware of their rights or lack the financial resources to seek justice.

Recommendations included:

• Expanding legal aid services to ensure that all individuals, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have access to justice.
• Simplifying legal processes to make them more accessible, transparent, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups.
• Strengthening the independence of the judiciary and ensuring that courts are free from political or financial influence.

International Support and Cooperation

HRDN Sierra Leone also stressed the importance of international cooperation in addressing these human rights challenges. The network called on the international community to:

• Offer technical and financial assistance to strengthen Sierra Leone’s human rights institutions.
• Advocate for the swift implementation of UPR recommendations, particularly those that address the protection of human rights defenders, gender equality, and accountability for human rights violations.
• Support civil society and human rights defenders working on the frontlines of human rights protection in Sierra Leone.

The Path Ahead: A Call for Accountability and Reforms

As Sierra Leone prepares for its third UPR review, HRDN Sierra Leone’s presentation at the pre-session serves as a vital reminder that human rights progress cannot be taken for granted. The network calls on the Sierra Leonean government to take immediate steps to address the concerns raised by civil society and international actors alike.

While Sierra Leone has made strides in the post-conflict period, significant challenges remain. HRDN Sierra Leone is committed to working collaboratively with the government, international partners, and the global human rights community to ensure that the country’s human rights commitments translate into tangible improvements for all citizens—particularly the most vulnerable.

The HRDN Sierra Leone’s recommendations reflect a deep commitment to advancing human rights for all Sierra Leoneans. As the country moves forward in its UPR process, the network calls for both national and international actors to ensure that Sierra Leone’s human rights obligations are not just promises but actions that lead to real and lasting change.