CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
PROMOTING A SAFE AND PEACEFUL ELECTORAL PROCESS THROUGH AN ACCOUNTABLE SECURITY SECTOR
Background
Sierra Leone is scheduled to organize multi-tier elections in June 2023, which are expected to be contested mainly between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC). Sierra Leoneans are hopeful that the process will be peaceful, but on the evidence of previous elections, the process may be characterized by skirmishes and acts of violence. The current framework for electoral security provides for the deployment of police officers before, during and after polling day. In exceptional circumstances, the military may be deployed under the MAC-P regime to support the Sierra Leone Police in maintaining law and order.
It is primarily the task of the police to protect voters and voting material, respond to protests or riots, and investigate acts of violence and other electoral offences. Unfortunately, our experience shows that security personnel deployed to secure the electoral process sometimes respond to protests or skirmishes with highhandedness. Unfortunately, most of these excesses/violations go unpunished. In addition, there is evidence that politically-motivated violence does not always get punished. In some instances, there is uneven/unfair application/enforcement of the laws.
CARL has received funds from the Open Society for West Africa (OSIWA) to undertake a number of activities aimed at addressing the impunity gap that exists for police brutality, acts politically-motivated violence, as well as defend human rights before, during and after the elections. As part of the initiative, CARL seeks to work with private legal practitioners to institute proceedings or support lawsuits aimed at defending persons who are illegally or unfairly arrested, detained and prosecuted. Ultimately, it is about ensuring accountability for human rights violations by security personnel and promoting peaceful elections
CARL is, therefore, seeking to hire a Sierra Leone-based law firm to provide legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations, including unlawful and unjustified arrest and detention, unlawful restrictions on their civic rights, etch
Scope of work
The successful law firm will be required to retain the services of lawyers in the Western Area, Makeni, Bo and Kenema to provide free legal representation and assistance to victims of human rights violations. The law firm will also be required to assist CARL with legal education using local radio and TV stations, especially on laws relating to electoral offences.
Deliverables:
- Provide legal representation to victims of human rights abuse across the country, including by filing habeas corpus and bail applications
- Support legal education during community and media outreach events
- Review public education resources drafted by CARL on the law
- Institute action with the Supreme Court seeking relief for alleged constitutional violation
Time Frame
The timeframe for this assignment will be 12 months, starting March 1, 2023.
Skills required and experience:
The law firm must have legal practitioners qualified to practice law in Sierra Leone, one of whom must have at least five years of post-call experience.
Consultancy Management:
The consultant law firm will be managed by the CARL’s Executive Director, who will liaise directly with consultant.
If you are interested in this assignment, kindly send an updated curriculum vitae of the managing partner, indicating his/her experience and a letter expressing interest to provide the services to the following email address info@carl-sl.org or ibrahim.tommy@gmail.com not later than close of business (5:00 pm) on Friday, 24th February, 2023. Alternatively, you can send your documents in hard copy addressed to the Executive Director, Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law – Sierra Leone at 145 Circular Road, Freetown.
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