Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda has been applauded by the Country Director of Centre on Human Trafficking Research & Outreach (CenHTRO), Mr. Umaru Fofanah, for his commitment to combat Human Trafficking and Migrant smuggling.
During their engagement with the Judiciary to strengthen partnerships with key institutions within the criminal justice system in fostering efficient service delivery, CenHTRO’s Country Director gave a nod of applause to the Honourable Chief Justice, referencing ongoing reforms and the unlimited commitment to zero tolerance on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling. “Thank you for the reforms,” CenHTRO’s Country Director said.
CenTHRO partners with the United States Department of State, one of their key sponsors to monitor and combat Trafficking in Persons across the Sub-region.
During this engagement, Claire Bolton, CenTHRO’s Director of Programs University of Georgia, in the United States joined the meeting virtually.
In his overview, CenHTRO’s Country Director said since 2018 the organisation has redefined how the world combats human trafficking, stressing that their aim is to be the gold standard on how the world stops Trafficking in Persons.
He pointed out their recent support to the Judiciary in preparing a training manual for Human Trafficking and Migrant smuggling. Presenting copies of the training manual, CenHTRO’s Country Director expressed optimism that the training manual will enable the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (JLTI) to produce Master Trainers to ensure that experts in these areas of the law will receive sustainable attention not only in the Judiciary but also the Sierra Leone Police and the Ministry of Justice.
According to him, they have implemented several programmes in law enforcement, criminal justice and capacity building. “We are on a needs assessment to evaluate the strength of law enforcement institutions in Sierra Leone,” said CenHTRO’s Country Director, adding that this engagement will better guide their interventions that will support the Judiciary, the Law Officers’ Department, and the Sierra Leone Police.
In his response, His Lordship the Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda thanked CenHTRO’s Country Director and the entire team for the visit and partnership with the Judiciary. The Honourable Chief Justice acknowledged the longstanding partnership and disclosed that the Judiciary now has a reasonable number of Judges who are master trainers.
He also emphasized the need for continued capacity building, which he described as essential too that will keep them abreast with recent legislation and procedural principles in law.
He explained that his administration prioritizes enhanced training for Judges and Magistrates, incorporating human rights and human trafficking issues in training modules. In addition, he said he will facilitate judicial exchanges and interactions with counterparts in other jurisdictions to promote comparative learning and best practices.
While encouraging them to support the JLTI, the Honourable Chief Justice expressed the Judiciary’s willingness to continue the partnership and commitment to maintaining this positive partnership.
Also present at the meeting were Honourable Justice Alusine Sesay JSC, Honourable Justice Reginald Fynn JA who doubles as Vice Chair of the JLTI and Honourable Justice Adrian Fisher J, one of the Judges who has received further trainings in Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling.