The Programme Manager of Legal Aid Board Eastern Region, James Tamba Mafinda has called on UN Women and other agencies to seek immediate asylum for the Kenema Bondo victim as a way of ensuring her security.
He said Kadijatu Balema Allieu the victim and her immediate family members are currently in hiding for fear of their lives. Mr. Mafinda said Kadijatu and her family members have told him they feel threatened every day and that they will not come out of hiding until they are assured of their rights to life. He said they as Legal Aid Board have done a lot concerning Kadijatu’s issue, including helping the police in their investigation and monitoring the doctor treating her condition. Mafinda however assured that Kadijatu is responding well to treatment, but noted that as a human rights institution, they are very much concerned about her safety and those with her.
“It is on the basis of this that we are calling on the UN Women in particular and all humanitarian and human rights organisations to intervene in ensuring the safety of the lives of Kadijatu and family members,” the Legal Aid Board Programme Manager-East stated.
Mr. Mafinda said the Board was part of the rescue team when the police rescued Kadijatu through the window of Madam Elsie Kondolomoh’s residence.
Mafinda disclosed that as a native himself, the information he is getting within the district points to “a serious threat” to the lives of Kadijatu and her family members which is why on behalf of the Board he is calling for an immediate evacuation of her and her family members in order to avoid any further unpleasant incident, Mr. Mafinda maintained.
Mafinda said they have had discussions with Madam Elsie and other stakeholders associated with the issue, but that they have still not been able to reach a satisfactory conclusion that will ensure the safety of the woman victim. “In fact what we are getting from them is not conciliatory but points to plans of revenge,” Mafinda stated, noting further that as a native he is aware of the consequences of such threats coming from a traditional setting.
“Even if Kadijatu is brought out from her hideout, we cannot guarantee her security in this country. We want a better life for her and her family. Threats from tradition are mostly not vague. They can be poignant and very devastating especially when a majority of the practitioners are speaking in unison. The consequence can be unpleasant,” Mafinda warned.
He recalled a stakeholders meeting held in Kenema with the Executive Director of Legal Aid Board, Claire Carlton-Hanciles, where in a press release, they called on the Sowies and other citizens to keep the peace in the wake of the Kadijatu Bondo incident.
Monday October 03, 2016