By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
Following the trial of a male police officer, alleged of raping a woman in police station, AdvocAid has on Monday 27th February, 2023 in a press release, called for accountability and an end to violence against women and girls by law enforcement officers.
On the trial of the alleged police officer which court hearing commenced again on the 27 February 2023 at the Pujehun High Court, AdvocAid was concerned that the victim, who was guilty of an offence and had already been sentenced for 15 years imprisonment, should be given the chance to travel and attend the court trial.
AdvocAid explained in the press release that after the matter was first investigated by the Complaint, Discipline and Internal Investigations Department (CDIID) of the Sierra Leone Police and the Family Support Unit (FSU), the police officer was found guilty of five counts and was later on the 27th June, 2022 charged with rape and release on bail.
AdvocAid affirmed that it received information that the police officer was not dismissed or suspended from the Sierra Leone Police Force as said but continued working as police officer in Bo.
AdvocAid commended the Sierra Leone Police Force, CDIID and the Director of Public Prosecutions for their prompt action. It expressed that the case was one of the cases where a police officer accused of sexual violence against a detainee had been charged to court.
AdvocAid assured that it would be monitoring the trial as it believed that it was an important step forward in accountability for human rights violations by law enforcement officials. “We hope it sets an important precedent and deterrent,” AdvocAid Programmes Officer expressed.
Following the health issues of the victim who was also running a jail term of 15 years in the Freetown Female Correctional Center for manslaughter, AdvocAid affirmed that the victim needed serious medical attention. “AdvocAid is calling for Baindu to receive medical and mental health support following the trauma she endured as she continues to suffer from pain and depression,” it noted.
Getting to know the ordeal and concern raised about the victim, AdvocAid called on the President to pardon the sexually violated victim. “We are concerned about the violations of Baindu’s right, especially her lack of legal representation at trial. We call on the President to use his prerogative of mercy and to pardon her. She is also in need of urgent medical and psychosocial support. Sadly, this is not an isolated issue and we regularly encounter women in detention who have suffered violation of their rights,” AdvocAid Legal Manager added.
As an institution, supporting women and girls in contact with the law through legal and economic empowerment, strategic litigation and policy reform, AdvocAid assured that it would continue to investigate complaints made across police stations and detention facilities in Sierra Leone. It suggested measures the government should put in place to address the issue of women as detainees in police stations whose rights were abused by law enforcement officers.