The Human Right Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has called on law enforcement officials to speedily conclude investigations into the Makeni incidents and identify and persecute security personnel whowere involved in the killing of civilians.
Six people were killed in a protest against an attempt by the Government to remove a standby 1.65MW Caterpillar generator from Makeni on the 17th and 18thJuly, 2020,
The Chairperson of HRCSL, Patricia N. Ndanema presented the findings of Commission at a news conference that was held on Tuesday in Freetown regardingthe human rights violations and abuses that took place during in Makeni.
According to findings of the Commission, theearly hour of July 18, 2020, was relatively peaceful and people were seen going about their normal businesses. “But the late morning hours of July 18, 2020, law enforcement official raided the big market place and released teargas amongst traders, other persons including children. This angered the youth who became very violent and the riot took a negative turn in which ten people sustained injuries out of which 4 were taken to the Emergency Hospital where it was confirmed that one died which brings the death toll to 6 persons,” the Commission said in its report.
“There was communication gap due to the mayor’s [Makenimayor] impromptu illness and officials of the Ministry of Energy were unable to make follow up on the action point taken during a meeting held on the 30th May, as a result discussion on the relocation of the 1.65 megawatts generator was stalled, both institution faulted in making follow up,” the report indicates.
The Commission Commends that law enforcement officials should recruit citizens of good moral standings and temperament,and engage the forces on standard human right training especially dealing with riots.
HRCSL also recommends that the police should cease co-opting the military at every given time during protest unless and until the circumstances truly demands Military Aid to Civil Power.
The Commission also urges the Government to bear the medical cost of the injured victims.
The chairperson of HRCSLsaid that the findings and recommendation were done after consultative engagements with the Local Unit Commander (LUC), the Mayor of Makeni, Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders in Makeni.
“The commission also engaged victims that incurred severe injuries during the riot and the Doctors treating them to evaluate the severity of injuries sustained,” she said.
By George M.O. Williams
19/8/2020. ISSUE NO: 7890