The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), on Thursday 8th August, 2024 hosted students from different colleges and universities in Sierra Leone for a focus group discussion on constitutional rights in Sierra Leone.
The discussion is part of the Constitutional Literacy Project, which explores the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Sierra Leone Constitution.
In partnership with Centre for Human Rights, based at the University of Pretoria in South Africa and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, CHRDI is currently working on producing a booklet that introduces rights in Sierra Leone.
The booklet aims to offer citizens an in-depth understanding of the Constitution of Sierra Leone and its significance in holding the Government of Sierra Leone and other public institutions accountable. It will delve into the rights protected by the Constitution and their role in safeguarding individuals and communities.
According to CHRDI’s Chief Executive, Abdul M. Fatoma, the objective of the discussion is to ensure that the booklet is clear and meets the needs of the target audience.
“Ultimately, CHRDI, CHR, and KAS aim to ensure that the informational booklet is written and meets the target audience’s needs.,” he stated.
He said the concept of human rights which is enshrined in a constitution legally recognizes and protects every individual’s inherent rights, which the government does not bestow and added that every citizen should receive equal treatment under the law. T
“The state is responsible for ensuring the protection and preservation of the human rights of its citizens and all individuals residing within its jurisdiction. Therefore, establishing laws safeguarding human rights is paramount in governing the interactions between individuals and state institutions,” Mr. Fatoma noted.
Specifically, the booklet will focus on the human rights outlined in Chapter 3 of the Constitution, titled ‘The Recognition and Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms’, shedding light on how these rights safeguard all residents of Sierra Leone