No wonder Sierra Leone’s Dictator , Maada Bio, unilaterally and unlawfully sacked members of the Human Rights Commission and went on to appoint members of his Mende tribe to such a very important and hallowed Commission.
The results are clear now.
Police stormed Brookfields and fired bullets and teargas into the office of the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC) . In addition to that, the Police beat up, bayoneted and injured many APC supporters .The injured were not given medical treatment but were taken to the CID where they were detained . The victims, some dripping blood, were seen hurdled together in a cell while being menaced by the Police.
Additionally, the SLPP Government committed serious legal and constitutional crimes that day, Friday May 31, 2019 by illegally removing 10 APC members from Parliament and then went on to abuse the constitution further by swearing in the losing members of parliament in the constituencies of the former MPs , even though Dictator Bio knew that the right legal procedure was to have conducted new elections.
With all these atrocities, look at the statement released by the Sierra Leone Human Rights Commission . You read and decided for yourself if it portrayed the spirit of the troubling political events slowing drawing Sierra Leone into another war.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SIERRA LEONE
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT OF 31ST MAY 2019, BETWEEN THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE (SLP) AND SUPPORTERS OF THE ALL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS (APC)
June 3rd, 2019
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) is concerned about the incident of 31st May 2019, between the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and supporters of the All People’s Congress (APC), which took place at the APC Party Headquarters, Old Railway Line, Freetown. This incident led to injuries, arrests and detention.
HRCSL monitored the incident and observed that the police fired rubber bullets and teargas directly into the APC Headquarters while supporters were inside the building. HRCSL also observed that APC supporters barricaded roads, burnt tyres around the APC party office and pelted stones at police officers.
HRCSL condemns the actions of both parties, which prevented others from enjoying the right to freedom of movement as enshrined in Section 18(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
HRCSL reminds the SLP of their responsibility to protect lives and property and to the provisions in the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Fire Arms by Law Enforcement Officials. HRCSL therefore calls on the SLP to apply a rights-based approach to policing.
HRCSL further draws the attention of all, especially supporters of the APC party who were involved in the incident of 31st May, that while the enjoyment of the right to freedom of assembly and association is guaranteed under Section 26(1) of the 1991 Constitution, the exercise of these rights should not affect the rights and freedoms of others.
The HRCSL therefore urges the SLP to speedily conclude investigations and take appropriate actions where necessary. HRCSL also calls on the APC party hierarchy to admonish supporters to be peaceful, law abiding and address grievances through appropriate legal channels.
HRCSL further calls on everyone to maintain the peace, be law abiding, seek redress from relevant state institutions where there is an infringement of rights.
HRCSL assures the public of its commitment to monitor and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure the protection and promotion of the human rights of all in Sierra Leone.
Signed:
HRCSL Chair
