A society that does not respect the fundamental human rights of its citizens deprives them of dignity and is often at the edge of crisis. When human rights are eroded and citizens are subjected to inequality, society slips into lawlessness and conflict. To address the gaps in our human rights standards as well as government’s responsibility to protect such rights, CARL undertakes reviews and analyses of laws and policies to ensure that they are human rights compliant and promote equality. We also monitor and produce assessment reports on state agencies charged with the responsibility of protecting rights, undertake community and media outreach to promote a culture of human rights and respect for diversity, as well as advocate for increased representation of minority groups in decision-making processes. Where the state fails to provide redress for human rights abuses, we seek judicial review and undertake impact litigation to reverse such actions or laws.

Contextual Analysis

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, irrespective of their origin, belief, lifestyle, sex, and sexual orientation. While they can be restricted pursuant to the enforcement of a law or in the interest of national security, individuals should never be arbitrarily deprived of their rights. These fundamental rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect, and independence.

Equality is critical for the enjoyment of human rights. Act 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. Equality if about being treated equally before the law, not being discriminated against or subjected to injustice or unfairness. Thus, it requires individuals to be equal in status, rights, and opportunities as citizens of a country.

When human rights are eroded and citizens are subjected to inequality, society slips into lawlessness and conflict. The Sierra Leone TRC reported that the conflict created the avenue for human rights and human lives to be violated with impunity. Therefore, the commission sought to promote a culture of human rights and human dignity in post-conflict Sierra Leone. To that end, it recommended that human dignity and human life be inviolable, that courts must ahdere more consistently tohuman rights standards, and that a national human rights commission and a human rights education curriculum be developed for schools in Sierra Leone. Respect for equality and human rights includes address the ineqaulity in gender represenation in public offices, addressing poverty and access to essential social and economic services such as health and education, and amending laws that discriminate.

Chapter 3 of the constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 states that every individual’s fundamental human rights and freedoms in Sierra Leone must be recognized and protected. Section 27 of the same Constitution further state that “no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either in itself or its effects”. The practices in customary law, hoever, run contrary to these provisions. The constitution expressly allows or excuses discrimination based on customs. This provision needs to be repealed to bring it on line with global human rights standards.

In addressing these challenges, CARL will undertake reviews and analysis of laws and policies to ensure that they are human rights compliant and promote equality. CARL will also monitor and produce assessment reports on state agencies charged with the responsibiliy of protecting rights, undertaking community and media outreach to promote a culture of human rights and respect for diversity, as well as advocate for increased representation of minority groups in decision-making processes, Where the state fails to provide redress for human rights abuses, we will seek judicial review or undertake impact litigation to reverse such actions or laws. Our human rights protection work will include partnering with statue institutions such as the Human Rights Commission and non-state actors to promote human rights education. It will include holding state institutions to account, including by instituting action against them where their is evidence of violations. Ultimately, our goal is to challenge impunity and promote a culture of accountability.