The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has on Tuesday August 25, 2020, commenced a two-day consultation with stakeholders on the process of Universal Periodic Review (UPR), in a bid to elicit information, views and concerns from stakeholders for the production of a Shadow Report on the third Cycle Universal Review session to be held in May 2021.
The ceremony which commenced at the Peace Museum in Freetown, brings together stakeholders from variousMinistries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the consultation is geared towards assisting the Commissionto produce credible, balanced, objective and evidence-based report.
The Universal Periodic Review mechanism requires National Human Rights institutions to produce an alternative or shadow report which is expected to be independent and credible, on how it has monitored and observed the implementation of the recommendation as proffered to the Government of Sierra Leone by Human Rights Institutions, Civil Society Organization (CSOs) and other member states of the United Nations.
Chairperson of the Human Right Commission, Patricia N. Ndanema, said that the UPR matrix prepared by HRCSL seeks to collect information from various MDAs with respect to measures taken by them to implement recommendations.
“The aim was to track progress made in terms of implementation at MDAs level. Outcomes from the responses provided by MDAs would be used to prepare the commission’s shadow report,” she said.
The Commissioner stated that the last review process on Sierra Leone, proffered 208 recommendations, among which, 177 were accepted and the remaining 31 taken note of. She admonished stakeholders present to reflect on the steps taken by government to implement its UPR recommendations, and its commitments to promote human rights in the country. “Our report must reflect the true picture so as to avoid contradiction from other alternative report,” she said.
He said that HRCSL remains committed in it advocacy to ensure that the rights of every Sierra Leonean is protected and respected at all time.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative, Dr. Samuel Gbaydee DOE, stated that UNDP is committed to strengthening capacity for human rights protection and promotion,particularly the protection and promotion of Civil and Political rights, Economic Social and Cultural rights.
“At the heart of UNDP’s support to sustainable development are the rights of people, including vulnerable women and children, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), persons with disability (PWD) and those in conflict with the law and at risk of being deprived their liberties,” Dr. DOE said.
The Second Secretary at the Irish Embassy, Daire Courtney, noted that Sierra Leone has made great strides since the inception of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and the impact of HRCSL Civil Society Organization (CSOs) in development.
“As a country we must try to preserve and uphold the rights of Sierra Leoneans in every tough condition,” she added.
By George M.O. Williams
26/08/2020. ISSUE NO: 7895