The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) on Friday 21st August 2020 engaged the Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice, Anthony Brewah, at his office on the functions of HRCSL, challenges faced, review of legislation and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). After congratulating the AG on his recent appointment, HRCSL Chairperson Patricia Narsu Ndanema gave a brief background to the establishment of the HRCSL and also threw light on some of its functions.
Dilating on some of the functions, one of which is to advise Government on the review of existing legislation, the Chairperson stated that the Commission is mandated by its Act to advise Government on any law that will affect the enjoyment of the human rights of all in Sierra Leone. She also spoke about their function to investigate and inquire into complaints, and to produce a report on the Annual State of Human Rights in Sierra Leone.
Mrs. Ndanema continued by stating that since the HRCSL is directly under the Office of the Attorney General, they saw it fit to engage his office from time to time. She went on to inform the Minister of the shadow report to be prepared by the Commission for the Universal Periodic Review. To inform that report, she disclosed the planning of a conference for stakeholders to examine recommendations proffered by countries during the previous UPR on Sierra Leone in 2016.
The Chairperson used the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges of HRCSL which includes lack of vehicles and office space, staffing, liabilities and the disparity between the budget ceiling given by the Ministry of Finance and that of the actual subvention given. The Chairperson said their plan to review the Commission’s Act emanated from it being limited to complaints against Government officials.
Acknowledging the efforts by the AG’s office, the Director of Finance of HRCSL, Paul Moriba, stated that the Ministry has been very helpful especially on matters involving the Ministry of Finance and the Commission’s entitlements. Speaking on HRCSL’s function to review existing legislation, the Vice Chairperson, Victor I. Lansana said they recommended the repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel provisions in the 1965 Public Order Act, participated in the Sexual Offences Act, the Criminal Procedure Act, and Disability Act, and have been called to look into the present status of the reviewed 1991 Constitution.
He also asked that the Commission be included in the drafting of any Bill that has to do with human rights. Reacting to the issues raised, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice stated that there are serious misconceptions about the Human Rights Commission at all MDAs, adding that the HRCSL is seen as a watchdog instead of being part of the governance system.
The AG said the HRCSL does not only look at the activities of government but also those of the private sector, and assured the Commission of his support whenever his office is contacted. The Minister stated that work is in progress on the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 and that the review of the 1991 Constitution is also presently on his desk.
He concluded by asking the Commission to write a formal letter to his office highlighting their challenges, and to inform his office whenever they have any issue with other MDAs.
By Ophaniel Gooding