The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has condemned the arbitrary arrest of teachers for voicing out their concerns relating to their poor condition of service.
“The Sierra Leone Bar Association (herein after known as the “SLBA”) notes with serious concern the arrest of some Teachers by the Sierra Leone Police to wit: Mr. Mohamed Khan, Lahai Jah and Joseph C. Kailie. Mohamed Khan aforesaid was arrested after serving as a guest of the AYV Television program- ‘Wake up Sierra Leone’ whilst the other two were arrested and detained at the Bo West Police Station after allegedly requesting a clearance to convey a meeting of “The Teachers Solidarity Movement”.
The teachers who were arrested by the police belong to group who called themselves ‘Teachers Solidarity Movement’. The group seeks to champion welfare of teachers.
Mohamed Salieu Khan is the interim chairman of the Teachers Solidarity Movement”.
The Bar Association said that the Sierra Leone Police have a duty to protect and serve and not to intimidate citizens in the excise of their rights and freedoms under the Constitution of Sierra Leone. They said that the arbitrary arrests of teachers undermine the commitment of the State to guaranteeing the freedoms provided in sections 15 (b) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
It could be recalled that the Chairman of Teachers Solidarity Movement, Mohamed Khan was arrested and detained at the Criminal Investigation Department, in Freetown on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 after serving as a guest of the AYV Television program.
The SLBA believes the above actions of the Sierra Leone Police are high-handed, unwarranted and at stark variance with section 17 (1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act, No.6 of 1991.
Whilst the SLBA recognizes that freedoms of Expression and Assembly have attendant responsibilities, the Sierra Leone Police is under an obligation to strictly follow due process in ensuring that the fundamental human rights of the citizenry are not unduly trampled upon.
The SLBA urged the Sierra Leone Police to follow the due process of the law and ensure the release of the teachers with immediate effect.
By Sallieu S Kanu