By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
The human rights commission Sierra Leone has raised concern on the security of the state and the general enjoyment of citizens’ human rights in the nation.
This follows the failed attempted coup by some renegade military men, after an attack on the Wilberforce Barracks amoury, the military headquarters at Cockrill, some police stations and the Freetown Male and Female Correctional centers, where thousands of prisoners were freed that created panic.
This statement originated through a Press Release from the Human Rights Commission on the 27th November 2023.
To start with, the HRCSL identified that their attention has been drawn to the security breaches which transpired early in the morning hours of Sunday November 26th 2023 that left a lot of citizens in complete turmoil.
This created fear and panic and as a result a nationwide curfew was instituted in order to ensure that citizens are safe and the perpetrators are pursued.
They went further to maintain that as a result from the breaches at the Male and Female Correctional centers a lot of inmates were accorded the opportunity to flee their cells and jumped into the streets of Freetown thereby causing unrest to a lot of communities and limiting the restrictions of so many people in their respective neighborhoods.
Most importantly, the (HRCSL) went on to identify the bravely, patriotism and intelligence of compatriots and security personnel who maintained their grounds and stood the test of the time during that unraveling period by resisting the thwarted shenanigans against the unending peace and sanity of the state.
The commission also expresses delightment in the government`s bravery to quell the situation especially in the area of reporting accurate and timely information.
The commission affirms their commitment to assess the President’s commitment on following the due process necessary in the investigation and hazard prosecution of anyone who is involved in the unforeseen incidents which occurred on November 26th 2023.
Meanwhile, the Commission made a strong stance and reminder to the government on the security and welfare of citizens in the country to be the sole responsibility of the state pursuant to Section 5 (2) (b) of the constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 which spells out that “ the security, peace and welfare of the people of Sierra Leone shall be the primary purpose and responsibility of Government, and to this end it shall be the duty of the Armed Forces, the Police Officers and all security agents to protect and safeguard the people of Sierra Leone”.
Therefore, the commission in its stead carefully urge Government to take the necessary steps which is legal to protect the innocent citizens and residents of various communities. They also note that this method must be done through very proactive steps, so that citizens and residents will not be harmed in the process. The commission also calls on citizens and residents in the country to be law- abiding and cooperate with the Security forces by rendering the appropriate assistance to law enforcers and their agencies in order to restore calm and maintain law and order in the state pursuant to Section 13(a) & (j) of the constitution of Sierra Leone 1991.
Conclusively, the commission denotes the tragic and guns blazing scenes of the November 26th incident, and thereby went on to express their deepest condolences to the families of all the patriotic security personnel who lost their lives during the unfortunate incidents.