The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Irish Aid hosted mobile complaints hearing on Business and Human Rights issues at Facebook center, Bumbuna Town, Tonkolili District and Rogbere Junction, Port Loko District on Wednesday 29th, and Thursday 30th June, 2022.
Residents of the two localities and its immediate environs were offered the opportunity of making complaints on issues bordering on businesses and mining companies. This is the first complaint hearing exercise hosted in those parts of the country that focused on businesses and mining activities.
The objectives are to accelerate the Commission’s visibility on its operations in distant communities within the Bumbuna Township, engage in wider public awareness in human rights and its responsibilities and to help the Commission identify alleged human rights violations and abuses, and make appropriate referrals to the necessary institutions for timely intervention.
A total of five complaints were recorded in Bumbuna Town from three (3) males and two (2) females, while at Rogbere twenty-one (21) complaints were recorded- seven (7) females and fourteen (14) males. Some of the complaints bordered on compensation, worker’s rights and /or benefits, and property right and /or health.
Residents of Bumbuna in Tonkolili District and Rogbere Town in the Port Loko District applauded the Commission for visiting their communities to listen and receive their complaints.
In Bumbuna Town, the Oversight Commissioner for the Directorate of Complaints, Investigation and Legal Services, Commissioner Hassan Samba Yarjah said the HRCSL’s mandate is to protect and promote the rights of all in the country, adding that the door of the Commission is open to anyone that feels aggrieved on issues affecting their human rights.
“This is an opportunity the Commission has offered to the community to come forward and report issues of human rights that bothers you and we will help in solving them. Our coming here is purely to listen to your concerns and complaints and we urge you all to take advantage of it,” Commissioner Yarjah urged.
He noted that the Commission is a problem solving institution and that those coming with complaints should trust the HRCSL’s role in solving them.
Representing the Paramount Chief, Section Chief of Bumbuna Town, Pa Sorie B. Kargbo thanked the Commission for educating them on their rights and responsibilities and assured the Commission that they will take the message to others within the township.
On behalf of the Sierra Leone Police, Sub-Inspector Brima Koroma spoke about the challenges they usually encounter in executing their duties and reminded participants that rights always go with responsibilities.
A resident, Isata Koroma welcomed the initiative of the Commission to reach out to them to hear their concerns on human rights issues and added; “We have been praying for such an opportunity to put our concerns on mining activity in Bumbuna to the Commission and also make complaints on issues of human rights. We have been suffering in silence and we hope the Commission will help us to have justice.”