It is disappointing that the government seems to have pushed back on some recommendations that could have helped improve governance, strengthen the rule of law, and promote accountability in the executive arm of government, according to a new report by the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL).
CARL noted in the report that, it is also disappointing that the government rejected a recommendation for the judiciary to keep filing and other fees, which would have helped them to attain a level of financial independence and fund some of their initiatives aimed at expanding access to justice.
The Government of Sierra Leone also rejected a recommendation for Section 14 of the Constitution to be amended in order to allow social and economic rights to be justiciable.
“We disagree with the government’s position on this issue, as we believe that it is an attempt to escape accountability and further limit citizens’ ability to demand government action on the most important issues that affect their lives,” CARL said in the report.
Additionally, the government rejected the recommendation for detainees and convicted inmates to have a right to visitation by family members, medical practitioners, and lawyers.
CARL countered that Detainees and convicts have a right to family visits, not only because it is best practice at the international level, but also because, in keeping with the mandate of the correctional facilities to rehabilitate inmates, we firmly believe that family members and friends should be a part of that process of rehabilitation. “It is important to help rehabilitate inmates in order to ensure a seamless reintegration into society, and we believe that access to family members and friends would help achieve that,” CARL said.
By George M.O. Williams