Human Rights in Sierra Leone - Basic Rights

Basic Rights

Although the law bans discrimination based on race, tribe, sex, and several other attributes, prejudice is widespread and customary laws enshrine various forms of discrimination. Also, citizenship is essentially denied to persons who are not of “Negro-African descent.”

Although freedom of speech and of the press are officially guaranteed, they are often restricted and journalists engage in self-censorship. As a rule, journalists lack skills, resources, and professional ethics. Libel cases are rare. Radio is the major source of news, and in 2009 radio stations owned by political parties were closed by the government after riots. There are no restrictions on Internet access, academic freedom, cultural events, or freedom of assembly, although police have sometimes broken up demonstrations. On April 16-18, 2012, for example, police responded with disproportionate force to a protest in the town of Bumbuna by employees of African Minerals, killing one and severely wounding several more.

The right to move freely around the country, travel abroad, move abroad, and move back to the country is guaranteed, although police demand bribes at roadblocks. While the Liberian border is officially open, border officials often extort bribes from travelers. From time to time, moreover, Guinean troops stationed on the border with that country harass Sierra Leonean locals.

In urban areas, vigilante violence against debtors, suspected thieves, and others is common.

Sierra Leone as “safe haven” for war criminals

A December 2012 report by Amnesty International described Sierra Leone as one of three countries in the world that are “safe havens for war crimes suspects,” noting that while some crimes under international law are also defined as crimes in Sierra Leone, the country “has not defined these crimes in accordance with the strictest requirements of international law.” Also, “most crimes under international law...remain outside the scope of Sierra Leonean courts.”