By Joseph Koroma
The use of security forces by the authorities to intimidate, harass, brutalise and silent critics of government including members of the opposition is denting Sierra Leone’s human rights record.
Critics of President Julius Maada Bio have described his administration as a junta-like regime.
They said under his administration, scores of protesters have been killed, incarcerated, and a member of the opposition who was critical of his administration, was killed by security forces, and many critics from the red flag movement, a group from the main opposition party that opposes his administration, remain in hiding for fear of being killed.
Many social media commentators who are out of the country are being attacked by sympathizers of Bio’s administration for their critical stands on national issues and many may face persecution if they return home.
They said many Sierra Leoneans are not really enjoying the true meaning of the word democracy under his leadership whose administration has continued to abuse and deprive the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
Instances of Human Rights abuses
On April 29, 2020, a riot broke out at the Pademba Road Correctional center in Freetown. A preliminary investigation conducted by the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) published on July 7, 2020, found that 30 inmates and SLCS staff were killed during the violence. The security forces who went into the correctional centre to quell the riot were accused of being behind the killings.
Before the riot, the Pademba Road prisoners had complained of food shortages, after the government prohibited all visits to the facility. They were also concerned about inadequate measures to prevent the spread of the virus to other inmates.
In May 2020, a riot in Tombo outside Freetown left at least two civilians dead and houses burnt down. The fishermen protested after the authorities instructed that only 15 boats out of over 200 are permitted to go fishing, as part of the COVID-19 restriction.
In June 2020, security forces reportedly killed five people and seriously injured many others during a protest on Saturday in Makeni, northern Sierra Leone — weeks after resident minister northern region Hon. Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma was caught on video threatening to use the police and military to shoot and kill would be protesters.
Koroma was initially suspended by President Julius Maada Bio for his threat to shoot and kill comments, but later reinstated — without clarity if the suspension was a punishment or an investigation.
The protest by residents was triggered after reports suggested that the local electricity company was temporarily transferring a standby generator from Makeni to Lungi town.
On August 10, 2022, 27 civilians were killed during the August 10 protest in Freetown, Makeni and Kamakwe.
Evangelist Samson, an ardent critic of the Bio Administration, was shot dead by security forces on August 11, 2022, in the northern city of Makeni. He was accused of being behind August 10 protest. His video and audio recordings are popular among supporters and sympathisers of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party.
His death created fear among social media commentators who fear for their safety. Some are still in hiding after police declared them wanted.
In all of these incidents no person has been held to account for the killings.
A popular social media commentator who is critical of the Bio Administration, Editayo George Temple, said that he escaped an assassination attempt after men in military uniform tried to kill him just after August 10 protest.
The mouthpiece of opposition All People’s Congress Party, Claulineaux Deveaux is still in hiding after he was declared wanted by the police.
A Sierra Leonean blogger in the United Kingdom, Alpha Bakarr Barrie who goes by the social media name Saikujohn Barrie expressed concern in one interview immediately after the August 10 riot that he has also received threats from authorities and the ruling party agents and supporters including his tribesmen because he was critical of the government, and he is not supporting the vice president who comes from his tribe. He said he has also been accused of supporting the idea of protest.
Mr Saikujohn Barrie said he was told by a senior member of ruling SLPP party in one social media group that his name is amongst the wanted list for inciting unrest and riot in the country
Where democracy is well-practiced, it enriches the lives of citizens because political freedom is also part of human freedom. Exercising civil and political rights is also a crucial part of good living as social beings.
Unfortunately, the police is being used to suppress, harass, intimidate, and jail decent people for merely expressing their views.
All over the world, democracy is a demanding system, and not just a condition. The response of any government to the acute sufferings of its people often depends on the pressure that is put on it by the people.
There is growing anger and frustration amongst Sierra Leoneans because they are existing without the basic necessities of life. People need a political voice.
This government has failed to realize that suppression of political and civil rights is not beneficial to the peace, unity, and economic development of the country.
Freedom of expression is pivotal in bringing about the needed social responses to economic need.