By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu Bo City
To enhance human dignity within detention facilities, the Bo District Civil Society Forum, led by its Chairman and PRIDE-SL Director, Joseph Blackie organized a comprehensive cleaning exercise at the Bo West Police cells.
The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Development Action Centre for Sierra Leone (DACS-SL), the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, and the Sierra Leone Police, underscores a collective commitment to improved sanitation and respect for human rights.
This proactive effort saw members of the civil society forum, health officials, human rights advocates, and police personnel work side by side to ensure that the cells met higher standards of cleanliness and hygiene. The Bo West Police cells, which hold suspects temporarily as investigations proceed, had thoroughly cleaned to create a more humane and respectful environment for those in detention.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum, the Chairman emphasized the importance of treating all individuals with dignity, regardless of their legal status.
“We believe that every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves to be held in a clean and dignified space while going through the legal process,” he said, noting that this initiative is part of a broader commitment to uphold human rights and improve conditions for those in detention.
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation provided health and safety guidance, ensuring that the cleaning was conducted to the highest standards, minimizing health risks for detainees and staff.
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone reiterated the need for regular interventions of this kind, highlighting the role of civil society in holding institutions accountable and advocating for humane treatment within the justice system.
This recent exercise at Bo West Police cells marks an important step toward improved detention standards in Bo District. It sets a precedent for future collaborations to uphold the rights and dignity of all.
