Fondation Hirondelle

Director of Amnesty International Sierra Leone says despite the progress made in the human rights situation of the country in recent times, Sierra Leoneans still continue to suffer from a range of human right abuses.

Brima Sheriff made this statement on Tuesday at the launch of this year’s Amnesty Internal Report at the Santano House in Freetown.

The 2011 Amnesty International Report pointed out that human rights abuses and violations including delay in the criminal justice system and shortage of magistrates negatively impact on access to justice in the country.

The report also blamed the police for their inability in maintaining law and order and the use of brutality in executing their functions. The report further stated that ethnic and political biases found in the police and the military forces continue to cause mistrust and hostility in the country.

Amnesty International therefore called on the government to instruct its security forces to act in compliance within international human rights laws.

But, Valnora Edwin, Head of Campaign for Good Governance said peoples’ rights could not be fully realised without corresponding responsibilities.