By Sulaiman Jalloh

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) on Monday, August 26, 2024 at its headquarters in Freetown unveiled the findings of its Public Inquiry (PI) into human rights violations by law enforcement officers between 2015 to 2021.

Delivering the keynote address during the Lunching, Vice Chair of the commission Victor I. Lansana Esq. while expressing gratitude to development partners for their support throughout the inquiry said the report highlights widespread abuses by Law enforcement specifically the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Armed Forces of Sierra Leone (RSLAF) among others security sectors, noting part of the commission’s recommendation is for victims of abuse to be compensated an amount of about Four hundred and seventy-five thousand one hundred Leones (475,100NLe). This amount is divided among the SLP and the ARSLAF of which three hundred and five thousand and one hundred Leone to be paid by the SLP and the remaining one hundred and seventy Leones to be paid by the ARSLAF. The law enforcement agencies have been given 21 days to comply with the payment orders starting from the day of the launching.

According to Victor Lansana, the commission found numerous instances of rights violations by law enforcement while given an incidence that occurred in Kenema like a case between by one Mamudu Denga and the ARSLAF, SLP during EBOLA something he said the commission has asked for the victim to be compensated with 10,000NLe and a case between by one Hawa Tucker who was manhandled and later lost her eye site, adding the commission ordered the SLP to compensate her with 50,000NLe. “The complainant alleged that, her 13-year-old school going daughter Hassanatu Habib Kamara was injured in the eye by a teargas canister fired by the SLP which rendered her right eye visually impaired. The incident she reported, occurred during a riotous situation between Sierra Leone Road Safety Corps and the motorbike riders in Kenema city on 20th June 2019.

Findings/ Decisions & Orders” he underscored. He maintained that the decisions, orders, and recommendations has been submitted to the Sierra Leone Police and the Armed Forces of Sierra Leone.

Earlier, Joseph Kamara, the Executive Secretary of HRCSL while delivering his welcome address emphasized the commission’s extensive efforts to engage the public, stating that multiple communities and town hall meetings were held to raise awareness about the inquiry, pointing out that about 14 trained statement takers were deployed nationwide to collect testimonies from alleged victims, witnesses, and persons of interest. These efforts resulted in collection of about 178 complaints, of which 138 were deemed admissible.

The inquiry process, which included hearings in various regions, began in 2022. The first phase of hearings took place in the Northern and North-Western regions from September 5 to 10, followed by sessions in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions from September 5 to 12. The final hearings were held in the Western Area on September 29- 2023.

Commissioner Simitie Lavaly, Esq. detailed the procedures followed during the hearings. The inquiry focused on cases involving excessive use of force, injuries, loss of life, and property damage. The hearings adhered to legal protocols, with a panel representing both complainants and the defense, ensuring a balanced examination of each case.

The release of this report marks a significant step towards accountability and justice for victims of human rights violations in Sierra Leone.