United Nations’ and international community’s subtle rebuke pays off as detained women released—But two opposition leaders still in detention

July 7, 2022 Publisher and Chief Executive Officer KABS KANU ACTION NEWS, COMMENTARY, Uncategorized 0

By Kabs Kanu

The Sierra Leone Government today caved in to the subtle rebuke delivered by the United Nations and the international community by releasing the women arrested last Monday during the street protests against the SLPP.

However, despite a commitment to release Mrs Femi Claudius Cole and Dr. Dennis Bright,  the two political leaders arrested a day before the demonstrations , the government reneged on its promise. The two leaders of the Consortium of Progressive Political Parties ( COPPP) were still in detention tonight.

Rather than make good on their promise, the SLPP Government is planning to arrest 4 MPs belonging to the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC ) following the rumpus yesterday in Parliament when the opposition bitterly opposed the passage of the Public Elections Act 2022.

RELEASED WOMAN DISPLAYS HEAD INJURES INFLICTED ON HER BY SLPP POLICE AND SUPPORTERS

RELEASED WOMAN DISPLAYS HEAD INJURES INFLICTED ON HER BY SLPP POLICE AND SUPPORTERS

THE MAYOR OF FREETOWN , MRS. YVONNE   AKI-SAWYER  ADDRESSING THE RELEASED WOMEN 

THE MAYOR POSES WITH THE RELEASED WOMEN

GOVERNMENT MEDIA REPORT ABOUT THE RELEASE OF THE WOMEN
Police Released Monday 4 July, 2022 protesters*
*_Criminal Investigations Department, Headquarters, Pademba Road, Wednesday 6 July, 2022_-* The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) in a human face justice has cautioned and released all fifty four (54) suspects who were arrested during the Monday July 4, 2022 demonstration in Freetown.
Their release came on the day they expected to appear in Court on allegations of riotous conduct and illegal procession, contrary to the laws of the land.
Addressing the suspects before their release, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ambrose Michael Sovula informed that they have been profile and were to be charged to court following the completion of investigations into their conducts.
He however disclosed that they were going to be cautioned and released.
“Sierra Leone belongs to all of us and we would not sit and allow few misguided people to destroy it” said IGP Sovula.
His duties he said are not guided by political ideologies as alleged by some sector of the public but by the dictate of the 1991 constitution, the police laws and his conscience.
Police he said do not investigate Political parties but criminals.
He went on to inform them that they have right to protest *but it must be done following the due process of the law.*
As a husband and father, the Police Boss stated that he loves and cherish his wife and would therefore not stand the sight of women suffering but urged them to do things that would earn them their respect.
His method of Policing he said is people centered and gender sensitive thus the SLP today has women in strategic positions including Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).
He encouraged them to go back home and help in their own ways to contribute to nation building and desist from allowing being use by politicians.
In her contribution, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Madam Elizabeth Turay advised them to always remember where they are coming from before engaging in any act.
“Gone are the days when women were use for personal gains by people” she said and also encourage them to go home and help their families.
Other speakers include Director of Operations AIG Amadu Mannah and Director of Crime Services AIG William Fayia Sellu.
THE POLICE STATEMENT ON THE RELEASES AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO RELEASE THE 2 DETAINED POLITICAL LEADERS ON CONDITIONS 

 

 

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