October 27, 2021
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
During a presser held at the Human Right Commission, the Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Victor Idrissa Lansana, has yesterday the 26th of October 2021, informed journalists that the country has received a total of 274 recommendations from members states of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR relates to the country’s human rights situation and the government has accepted 216 and rejected 58 of the recommendations proffered.
As part of the recommendations accepted by government, Victor Lansana disclosed that 27-45 highlights government commitments to support the work of the Human Rights Commission in the protection and promotion of human rights as proffered by 13 countries at the UPR.
He added that the government is committed to the continued constitutional review process, being one of its voluntary pledges.
A-Z gathered that recommendations 1-10 revolve around the abolition of the death penalty and recommendation 14-15 on the ratification of the convention on migrant workers and their families.
Lansana also noted that recommendation 107-115 reaffirms government’s acceptance of freedoms of expression which he said has also been realized. This followed government’s repeal of the seditious libel provision in the Public Order Act/Criminal Procedures Act.
He further spoke on other recommandations including 258 – protecting children from early and forced marriage; recommendation 84-86 which highlight conditions in the corrections services i.e. over detention and prison reforms; recommendations 232 – 256 which highlight government’s commitments to the rights of women and girls, in terms political participation, enacting the gender bill, gender equality and more on the Gender Empowerment Bill is slowing progressing)
He however indicated that, several recommendations were also noted by government but not accepted which include, recommendations 174-179, 192 – 200, 209-212 targeting steps to be taken by government for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Recommendations 46-53 promoting same sex marriage and same sex sexual activities
Subsequent to the adoption of the government’s 3rd Cycle recommendations at the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Deputy Chairman disclosed that the HRCS has held several regional consultations with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), traditional leaders and other partners on the UPR processes and subsequently followed up and drew the attention of government on the implementation of recommendations proffered during the 2nd cycle UPR by the state.
He added that consultative processes were meant to get the views of the public in preparation of the Commission’s Shadow Report to the UPR process, which subsequently served as a reference point to the 3rd cycle review process in Geneva.
Victor Lansana furthered that as at 1st October 2021, Sierra Leone has been reviewed trice adding that, the first being in May 2011, the second in January 2016. This year, he said Sierra Leone went through the 3rd Cycle review which it concluded on 1st October 2021 in Geneva, following the adoption of the 3rd Cycle recommendations of which the Human Rights Commission also participated.
“As members of the fourth estate, the HRCSL has invited you today, to be part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, because we believe that the broad space of the media in the protection and promotion of human rights cannot be overemphasised. From all indications, you have the power to take the UPR process to a broader audience”, he said.