The President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Michaela Eddinia Swallow (Ms.) has called on Sierra Leoneans to elevate the debate on the Government’s White Paper on the Constitutional review process of the country above party politics.
Ms. Swallow made this national call on January 13, 2022, whilst delivering her speech on the launch of the Government’s White Paper at State House, Freetown.
The Bar President described the launch as a translation of the country’s collective desire for a progressive constitution into a reality, adding that, “At the Bar, we also recognise that around the world governments are often reluctant to embark on reviewing the constitution under which they got power but your Excellency in Sierra Leone we are optimistic that if you can muster the courage and bravery to repeal the 55 year old seditious libel law, abolish the death penalty and introduce the Gender Bill, this long awaited White Paper will signal the dawn of a new Constitution”.
Lawyer Swallow argued that the foundation of the country’s democracy must be built on a modern constitution which enhances democratic accountability and promotes socio-economic justice.
A sound constitution, the Bar President went on, should guarantee human rights, foster national cohesion, and reduce over centralization of powers in the executive. She added that our new constitution should therefore be seen advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, strengthening of good governance, protection of the environment and the country’s natural resources, which are all key issues and should therefore be the driving tool of the country’s new constitution.
To promote and support constitutional and legal reforms is one of Bar Association’s key tenets, the president further stated, adding that, as citizens of Sierra Leone, the White Paper gives an opportunity to have a common purpose which is to have “a new constitution of the people, by the people and for the people”.
The Bar President assured the Government of Sierra Leone that her Association stands ready and willing to continue to support the process of constitutional reform in Sierra Leone because, as she put it, “it is not only good for our democracy but also it is good for promoting the rule of law”. ” We will examine the White Paper to ensure it represents the collective ambition of the people of Sierra Leone,” the Bar President assured the general public.
By Sallieu S. Kanu