The Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI) an organization that has been advocating for the review of the criminal and seditious libel law, has drafted a civil libel bill to replace the draconian and obnoxious criminal and seditious libel provisions in the 1965 public order act, has yesterday held a discussion on the said drafted bill.
The program which took place at the YWCA hall attracted Commissioners from the Human Right Commission, Civil Society Organizations, staff of the SDI and journalists. In his statement of purpose the Executive Director of SDI Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai said that the bill has gone through parliament and is now in its final stage but does not know why it has not yet been passed. He also stated that these laws have been in our law books for long and need to be repealed. He also emphasized that they are not the first organization that is pursuing this course; he said that SLAJ has done it for decades. He commended the media as they have worked together to see that this bill is passed and encouraged them to continue until they succeed.
Speaking on behalf of the Human Right Commission, Commissioner King said that over the years they have seen a sustained campaign for the repeal of the seditious libel laws in Sierra Leone, she also said that they have called on the Government to repeal this law, she therefore commended SDI for initiating this campaign and called on the Government to fast track the passage of this bill in parliament.
The drafted bill was then read page by page and corrections were made, meanwhile suggestion and comments were entertained.
By Nancy Koroma
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