by Alice Derbyshire Olu-Jones | Jul 8, 2025 | Press
Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) expresses profound concern regarding the recent press statement issued by Parliament on July 7, 2025, concerning the Child Rights Act, 2025 and its implications for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The statement suggests that, the Act does not criminalize FGM or prescribe fines for those involved in the practice on girls under the age of eighteen. This is deeply troubling, given the harmful and long-lasting effects of FGM on girls and women. CARL-SL believes that, any law or policy should prioritize the protection of children’s rights and well-being.
Call to Action
We encourage Parliament and the President to:
- Reconsider the implications of the Child Rights Act, 2025 on FGM and ensure that it aligns with international and regional human rights standards.
- Engage in a consultative process with civil society organizations, including those working on children’s rights and gender issues, to strengthen the Act’s provisions on FGM.
- Prioritize the safety and well-being of girls and women in Sierra Leone, by taking concrete steps to prevent FGM.
- President Julius Maada Bio not to sign this law, and return it to parliament for a provision to be added, in criminalizing child FGM.
CARL-SL remains committed to promoting accountability and the rule of law in Sierra Leone. We will continue to monitor the implementation of the Child Rights Act, 2025 and advocate for the protection of women and girls.
For further clarification, please feel free to contact Ms. Mary-Magdalene Kelfalla, Advocacy Officer, CARL-SL on: +232 34-656751 or email: mabri2829@gmail.com
END
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by Alice Derbyshire Olu-Jones | Sep 18, 2024 | Press
The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) today welcomed the signing into law by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, which introduces changes aimed at ensuring a more efficient, accountable and expeditious delivery of criminal justice in Sierra Leone. The law, which replaces the 59-year-old legislation on criminal procedure, was signed into law on 11th September 2024.
See full press release below
by Alice Derbyshire Olu-Jones | Feb 29, 2024 | Press
The ECOWAS Regional Conference will take place in Freetown on April 17-18, 2024, bringing together senior government officials from member states, heads of multilateral and regional institutions, leading civil society organizations, and field experts to discuss the need for a binding agreement on the use and regulation of autonomous weapons.
Learn more: https://www.awsfreetown.com/en-us/participants
Read/download full press release below
by dyte | Nov 14, 2023 | Press
Thanks to funding from the UNDP, the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) and the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO) are currently organizing a two-day workshop with Members of Parliament, including Members of the Legislative Committee, on the draft Criminal Procedure Act.
The objective is to introduce Members of Parliament to the draft Criminal Procedure bill and offer them a chance to ask questions and make recommendations for strengthening the text of the law before it is officially introduced in Parliament. The event is taking place at the Sierra Palm Resort, Freetown.
If passed into law, the revised Criminal Procedure Act will make the criminal justice system fairer and more accessible, as well as respond to the justice needs of all.
#CARL
by dyte | Nov 9, 2023 | Press
A two-day training session for newly elected youth councillors and women in political party leadership positions across 6 districts is underway at the Makeni City Council. The training, organized by the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law as part of the recently launched USAID-funded BASE project, seeks to empower councillors and female leaders with the tools to drive change, improve service delivery and mobilize stakeholders at the lowest unit of governance – wards. Over the next couple of days, the participants will be introduced to theories and benefits of growth mindset, effective service delivery, and stakeholder management. The BASE consortium, which includes IGR, CARL, BAN, 50/50, CARE, and IRN is implementing a 3-year project that seeks to promote citizens’ participation, accountability and improved service delivery in local government. #CARL-SL
