By: Problyn J. Alpha
By: Problyn J. Alpha
A press release from the Kono District Human Rights Committee dated 3rd February, 2023 has expressed grave dismay over the way and manner in which a fourteen year old JS.S. Three Theresa Tawarally formerly of Kensay Community in Koidu City met her demise.
The Press release noted that according to reliable information from family members and neighbors, the under aged girl sometimes in December last year reportedly entered into an unfinished house which the alleged murderer used as a shrine for initiation at Gando Street in Tankoro Chiefdom, Kono District.
Meanwhile, Police sources say the caretaker and neighbors of the deceased, Fatima Turay and other stakeholders confirmed the aforementioned information.
Madam Turay further stated that after the deceased entered the said unfinished building to visit her friend who was also undergoing initiation secretly, there was no option as tradition demands, she was also initiated noting it was during the process the deceased complained of neck pain which she sustained from a hit by unknown force until her death on Sunday 8tyh January , 2023.
It is owing to that backdrop, the Kono District Human Rights Committee has condemned the act of forceful initiation of a minor and all other forms of Human Rights violations and abuses.
“We are also drawing the attention of the law enforcing bodies to look at the following articles which Sierra Leone is a signatory to and are embedded in the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone to take the necessary action needed”, she explained.
It should be noted that Article 2: Right to life and Article 3: Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment (Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDAR).
After 111 section 16 (1 and 2) section 20 (1 and 2) of the 1991 Sierra Leone Constitution states.
The Kono District Human Right Committee is calling on all law enforcement bodies, stakeholders, authorities, witnesses and all other concerned individuals to speedily take necessary actions to bring the perpetrators to justice in order not to see a reoccurrence of such an ugly incident. The committee further strongly warned all concerned not to compromise the law with anything negative to society.
We are urging the Police and other law enforcing bodies to conduct their official duties diligently with a right base approach and citizens to be law abiding adding let everyone be assured that the Committee will follow-up the matter to ensure justice is done.