November 23, 2021
By: Mohamed Sahr
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has organized a workshop on the development of Human Rights in the country within the aspect of Universal Periodic Review at the Council of Churches Sierra Leone headquarters in Freetown on Monday 22nd November, 2021.
In the bid to addressing the issue of human rights, the organizers invited representatives of member countries such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania to figure out the Universal Periodic Review that was established in 2006.
Rev. Moses Momoh, Bishop of Evangelical Local Churches in Sierra Leone projected the paramount objectives of the workshop as a way to introduce the Lutheran World Federation member churches in Africa to the United Nations human rights mechanisms and process, while specifically focusing on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Also to enhance the capacity of the churches to do strategic advocacy at the national level, and other human rights mechanisms. More so, to enable the churches to share experience and learning in their ongoing engagement with the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, including their specific country UPR reports.
Rev. Moses Momoh noted that the event is a cooperative process that reminds all states about their responsibility to amicably domesticate all treaties which a particular state is assigned to and further respect, protect as well fulfil the human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“The ultimate aim I believe from this process is to improve the human rights situations in countries and address the human rights violation wherever it occurs. It’s a hub for advocating the Action of Justice and organizations have been working with us, the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Sierra Leone on UPR process that has brought us to this level of capacity building workshop,’’ He said.
He unveiled his thanks and appreciation to the government of Sierra Leone, Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, the Human Rights Commissioner and Civil Society Organizations for their undivided collaboration during the preliminary consultative engagement at national and regional levels regarding the human rights issues in Sierra Leone.
Rev. Moses Momoh encouraged members that the workshop would enable members to claim the rights to respective duty holders and government within the UPR advocacy at local as well as international heights.
Shahid Mustapha Korjie, Coordinator of the Justice Sector Coordination Office at the Ministry of Justice felt grateful and honored to be part of the event regarding the sensitization and implementation of the UPR.
He said this served as a continuation of what the government is doing. He stated that the UPR is a mechanism wherein states would have to review their human rights records.
“during the third Universal Periodic Review, Sierra Leone as a state presented the steps that they would take in implementing the recommendations they accepted during the previous reviews.’’ Shahid Mustapha Korjie said.
He revealed that there had been an open democratic space for the participation of democracy in Sierra Leone as a result of the recent ratification of certain laws of which the country is admired and regarded in the eyes of the international bodies.
Rev. Henry Samoh, President Council of Churches Sierra Leone recognized the effort of Christian bodies and other NGOs for formulation of the welfare of people in the world.
He noted that human rights are universal rights and it cuts across every sector and it should not be selective as well as restrictive in every sense of it.
He maintained that every human being should enjoy his or her fundamental rights without coercion in a given society. ‘’we as a council are comfortable and we hope and pray this partnership continues to grow.’’ He said.
Rev. Elieshi Mungure, Lutheran World Federation Regional Secretary for Africa applauded the devoted efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone and Civil Society Organizations in cascading human rights implementation in Sierra Leone.
She affirmed that the work of human rights and advocating for people’s lives depict a concerted hard work. Therefore, she entreated the Government of Sierra Leone and CSOs to relentlessly continue the course as it would serve as a stimulus in the country.
Victor Idrissa Lansana, Vice Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone felt motivated and thanked the organizers for providing such platform in sharing their experience.
“what we do, regardless of your political, tribal, regional orientation, we protect the rights of everybody in Sierra Leone and it does not matter whether you are within the jurisdiction of Sierra Leonean or not.’’ He said.
Victor Idrissa Lansana appreciated the work of the Government and the recommendations that had been addressed overtime.