Patricia Ndanema, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone

With support from UNDP and Irish Aid, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra (HRCSL) on the 28th and 29th of June 2024 facilitated a discussion with Ministers and other senior officials of government on the Draft National Policy on Business and Human Rights at Galliness Paradise, Bo City.

A total of 45 participants (8 female and 37 male) including Deputy Ministers of Gender and Children’s Affairs and Fisheries and Marine Resources and senior officials from other ministries attended the two-day engagement.

The issue of Business and Human Rights is still an emerging trend in Sierra Leone, hence the need to have a national policy on BHR which would serve as a reference and guide to businesses to adopt and develop their own internal policies consistent with international standards and national human rights laws and obligations.

The engagement was to get the by-in of Ministers and senior officials from government on the draft policy which will serve as a precursor for a National Action Plan to implement the UNGPs.

On behalf of HRCSL, Commissioner Simitie Lavaly spoke about the expansion of the Commission’s monitoring scope to capture the operations of businesses viz a viz their implication on the enjoyment and abuse of human rights.

“The Commission over the years has been robust in its intervention on business and human rights and has taken steps in ensuring that the country implements the UN Guiding Principles and other domestic legal regimes,” she said.

Commissioner Lavaly noted that the draft policy has been designed to align with Sierra Leone’s business practices with international standards, particularly the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

She urged stakeholders to continue their active participation and collaboration in the implementation of the policy.

Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Mr. Hindowa Gbindi commended the Commission for putting together the Draft National Policy on Business and Human Rights and assured of its approval once it is tabled before Cabinet.

He said issues of human rights are cross-cutting and therefore requires a collaborative approach, adding that as a ministry that deals with children and girls, they always address issues with a human rights lens.

The consultant, Augustine Sorie Senbeh Marah Esq. did a PowerPoint presentation on the draft policy, capturing the introduction, context and objectives, the three pillars of the UNPGs, institutional responsibilities and conclusion.

During the discussion session, participants asked relevant questions and proffered solid recommendations which include having a human rights focal person in ministries to address human rights concerns, institutional collaboration in the implementation of the policy and further consultations with the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

Credit – HRCSL Communications Team

 Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Monday, July 8th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)