By Desmond Lewis
On April 4th and 5th, Amnesty International’s Sierra Leone chapter organized a specialized training session at its national secretariat in Freetown. Over 35 district focal persons attended the event, aimed at equipping participants with the skills needed to monitor detention centers in line with the United Nations’ Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules. These guidelines emphasize human dignity, safety, and security in prison management.
Solomon Sogbandi, Director of Amnesty International Sierra Leone, underscored the significance of the training in addressing the increasing abuses and rights violations faced by detainees. He advised the participants to pay attention to bail conditions, the quality of food, the legality of detentions, and the overall treatment of detainees and staff. “This training equips monitors to ensure that detention facilities adhere to international standards,” Sogbandi stated.
Jaih Kaikai, Growth and Campaign Coordinator, highlighted the ethical responsibilities of monitors, urging them to report incidents of torture and ill-treatment, as prohibited by the Convention against Torture (CAT). Kaikai also emphasized the importance of maintaining confidentiality and submitting reports exclusively to Amnesty International for review and improvement.
Lamin Bangura, Director of Policy Planning at the Correctional Centers, welcomed the initiative, acknowledging the challenges faced by the system. He pointed out issues such as overcrowding, with a facility designed for 320 inmates currently housing over 1,600. Bangura attributed this to delays in the judicial process and police operations. He also noted that some inmates are serving sentences for petty crimes. Despite these challenges, Bangura shared positive developments, including the establishment of a computer lab operated by John Bosco, where inmates are trained in design and printing.
Amnesty International’s Human Rights Education Coordinator, Emanuel Sattie, concluded the training by stressing the importance of recording and documenting human rights violations. He advised participants to prioritize safety and security when investigating complex cases.
This initiative reflects Amnesty International’s ongoing commitment to improving detention conditions and upholding human rights standards in Sierra Leone.