Supposedly launching the last Court Monitoring Bulletin as the six month project comes to an end, the Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL) has disclosed that for the months of August to October, no major COVID-19 related human rights violation was recorded in several districts of the country. CARL’s Project Coordinator Abu Bakarr Kallay further explained that in their findings “there was no reported fatality arising from the enforcement of the COVID-19 guidelines”.
That notwithstanding, he however said, “Our findings show that there is lack of willingness from the general public to comply with COVID-19 preventive regulations, particularly the use of masks and social distancing”. Also, “According to our findings, there have been allegations of excessive force by security personnel in the enforcement of COVID-19 related regulations in the Western Area districts and some districts across the country. There were alleged brutalities from security personnel against citizens in enforcing the use of masks in public places and the social distancing guidelines.”
Albeit these hiccups, the monitors observed that supply of food and other basic amenities in isolation and quarantine homes across the country was adequate. CARL called on the public to adhere to regulations aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus, particularly the use of mask in public places and the social distance guidelines.
CARL also urged security personnel to demonstrate high level of professionalism in the enforcement of COVID-19 regulations.
By Ophaniel Gooding