With support from UNFPA, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) in collaboration with the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on 30th November organised a Human Rights Seminar on the Role of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies in fulfilling the government’s human rights obligations.
The seminar in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference hall at Tower Hill in Freetown is one of several activities lined-up by the Commission to commemorate this year’s International Human Rights Day, marking the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
MDAs serve as agents of government with the responsibility of ensuring that the state achieve the fulfilled, protect and respect aspect of its obligations to the people.
The thrust of the seminar were to draw the attention of MDAs to their responsibilities in the protection and promotion of the rights of all in the country and to develop concrete strategies for interaction and information sharing between them and the Commission.
Participants from MDAs welcomed the engagement and pledge their commitment to always collaborate with the Commission in fulfilling its mandate of protecting and promoting the rights of all.
Chairperson of HRCSL, Mrs. Patricia Narsu Ndanema said in line with its mandate, the Commission has been working closely with MDAs in ensuring that government fulfills its human rights obligations of respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights. “We do need information from ministries, departments and agencies as you also work on rights related thematics. Of more importance is the implementation of recommendations proffered in the Commission’s State of Human Rights Report targeted at various MDAs which are all geared towards the enjoyment of human rights,” she said.
In his keynote address, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley commended the Commission for having been re-accredited a ‘Grade A’ National Human Rights Institution for the third consecutive time.
At the end of the seminar, a Communiqué to further deepened the collaboration between the Commission and MDAs was adopted.
