The Chairperson of the Human Right Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), Patricia N. Ndanema has said that instability would deter the functioning and dominance of human rights provisions in Sierra Leone. She advised citizens to desist from making statements or conducting themselves in ways that could threaten peace in the country.
She made this statement on Thursday December 10, 2020, during the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day at the House of Parliament in Freetown. The commemoration was themed; “Recover Better: Stand Up for Human Rights!” which reflects on the impact of COVID-19 and the need for better recovery.
The International Human Rights Day is set aside to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 by the United Nation General Assembly. The UDHR been also the foundation of all international human rights instruments, is a document given to the world as an assurance of peace , dignity and security of all.
She said that citizens should enjoy their rights as humans responsibly, and added that having the right to freedom of speech does not give the liberty for one to make unverified negative statements which could damage a person’s reputation.
“It is also worthy to note that our rights are protected by law. They are also restricted or limited by law, and rights can also be claimed by using the law. Let us endeavor to use the law while we claim our rights,” she said.
She noted that the state has an obligation to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and noted that citizens also have a duty to uphold human rights principles in order to maintain peace and dignity in Sierra Leone.
She asserted that there is growing trend of intolerance among Sierra Leoneans and raised serious concern that it has eroded from Sierra Leoneans the attitude of dialogue even when they are requested to do so.
“We see citizen are not using the appropriate redress mechanism to channel grievances, we see citizen not asking questions and taking the laws into their hands, thus leading to violence and destruction of property meant for the good of all in communities,” she noted.
She mentioned that the Commission notes the role of the Judiciary in decongesting the Correctional Centres through their prisons and mobile court sessions, during which they draw the attention of the judiciary on inmates convicted on petty offences.
“One of our findings during visits to correctional centres proves that to a large extent inmates that are convicted on petty offences contribute extensively to overcrowding in prisons,” she said.
She called on the government to kick start the Constitutional Review process and to decriminalize petty offences, and noted that petty offences have a heavy toll on convicted persons of poor families.
She commended the Government of Sierra Leone for upholding moratorium on the death penalty adding that even as such, they strongly call for its abolitions from law books.
By George M.O. Williams
14/12/2020. ISSUE NO: 7966