By: Aminata Sesay
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has used this year’s International Human Rights Day to renew a nationwide call for accountability, reparations, and a shared moral commitment to preventing the recurrence of violence. The commemoration, held on 10th December 2025 at the Sierra Leone National Museum, became a platform for survivors and officials to reflect on how far the nation has come since the civil war and how much unfinished work remains.
Guided by the local theme, “Remembering the Horrors of the Civil War, Seeking Reparations for War Victims, and Committing to ‘Never Again’,” the event pushed the conversation beyond remembrance to address persistent gaps in justice, mental health support, and socio-economic reintegration for victims of the country’s most brutal chapter.
Survivor testimonies formed the emotional core of the ceremony. Among them was Abass Sesay, who was only three years old when rebels amputated his arm. Today, his story reflects the everyday struggles of many war victims, including inadequate medical care, disability-related unemployment, stigma, and the ripple effects of intergenerational trauma.
He reminded policymakers that the consequences of the war did not end with the signing of the peace agreement. “Those who suffered great atrocities must not be forgotten,” he urged, calling for the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations, especially those addressing mental health.
HRCSL Chairperson Patricia Narsu Ndanema linked Sierra Leone’s historical wounds to the global theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials.” She underscored that fundamental rights such as access to health, water, food, safety, and dignity were repeatedly violated during the conflict.
She cautioned that Sierra Leone must remain vigilant to ensure the conditions that fueled the war, including marginalization and corruption, never resurface.
“We must not forget why the war happened,” she emphasized, insisting that reparations remain a critical and long-overdue obligation owed to victims.
Commissioner Hassan Samba Yarjah echoed this message, stressing that safeguarding human dignity must remain a national priority if peace is to be sustained.
Representing the government, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay acknowledged the grave human rights abuses of the 11-year conflict, describing that period as “a chapter of our history we must never sanitize.” He outlined the government’s commitment to accountability and reparations, along with plans to strengthen the judiciary, deepen democratic freedoms, and continue institutional reforms to prevent future abuses.
NaCSA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Susan Robert highlighted existing support programmes for widows, amputees, war-wounded survivors, and former child victims, while noting that more effort is needed to ensure reparations lead to long-term dignity and stability for affected households.
The ceremony concluded with participants signing a symbolic “Never Again” Commitment affirming that the protection of peace is a collective responsibility shared by government, civil society, and communities.
For HRCSL, the message was unmistakable: Sierra Leone cannot build a just and peaceful future without fully confronting the painful truths of its past. True reconciliation, the Commission stressed, will only be realized when war victims finally receive the justice, recognition, and support promised to them for decades.