About the Commission

Rev. Moses A. Khanu - Chairperson

Rev. Moses Khanu – Commissioner

Commissioner Khanu is a cleric of the Baptist Convention. He holds the Master of Theology (M. Th.) degree of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone and a Master of Education (M. Ed) in Guidance and Counselling, Njala University, Sierra Leone. He also holds Post Graduate Diplomas from the Academy of Missions, Hamburg, Germany and the Ecumenical Institute, Geneva.

His illustrious career which spans over 30 years, has taken him to the presidency of both the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone – CCSL (1992-1999) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone - EFSL (2002-2005), the General Secretary of the Baptist Convention in Sierra Leone (1991-1999) and Co-Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (1997-1999). He has brought to the HRCSL his skills in mediation, having participated in the Lomé Peace negotiations, and an in depth knowledge of the diverse religions in Sierra Leone which are required capacities to foster reconciliation, inter-faith dialogue and co-operation. He was appointed as Commissioner in 2006 and re-appointed in 2011.

Jamesina King – Vice Chairperson

Jamesina King – Commissioner Jamesina King - Vice Chairperson Commissioner King is a lawyer with a post graduate degree from Georgetown University Law Centre, Washington D.C. and a certificate in “Implementing Human Rights Conventions” from University of Nottingham Human Rights Law Centre, U.K. She is a Leadership Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) Fellow and past president of Legal Access through Women Yearning for Equality Rights and Social Justice (LAWYERS) – an organization of female lawyers in Sierra Leone dedicated to enhancing women’s access to justice. She was the first Chair of HRCSL, and served in that capacity for two years. She was appointed as Commissioner in 2006 and re-appointed in 2011. /p>

Brima Abdulai Sheriff – Commissioner

Brima Abdulai Sheriff Commissioner Sheriff holds an M.A. in Peace and Development Studies from Njala University, Sierra Leone and a B.Sc. in Agricultural Education from the same institution. He is a seasoned Human Rights Activist with over eight years experience working in local and international contexts at the middle and senior management levels.

He possesses extensive experience in monitoring and documenting human rights, strategic planning and campaigning, with a deep focus on Organizational Development and Change Management. He joined the Commission with a wealth of experience as a trainer, educator, film maker, theatre artist and facilitator. Until his appointment in July, 2012, he was Director of Amnesty International - Sierra Leone (2007-2012), Acting Director (2006-2007), and Campaigns and Growth Coordinator (2004-2006) at the same institution. He currently oversees the Directorate of Monitoring and Research.

Bryma Vaapen Senssee Kebbie – Commissioner

Bryma Kebbie Commissioner Kebbie holds the BA (Econ) degree of Durham University (1968). He was Assistant Manager in the United Africa Company (SL) Ltd (1968-1970) and an Auditor in the Sierra Leone Audit Department (1970-1979). He was called to the Bar by the Hounourable Society of Gray’s Inn in July, 1982, followed by a private legal practice in Sierra Leone until he was appointed Deputy Foreign Minister (1996-1998) and later transferred to the Ministry of Justice as Deputy Minister (1998-1999). He further took up appointment as Director of Public Prosecution – DPP (1999-2010). He was also the Consultant DPP in the Commonwealth of Dominica under the auspices of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London (2005-2007).

He also served in several other capacities, including being a member of the College Council of Bunumbu Teachers’ College, Sierra Leone (1993-1996) and the Management Committee of the Kenema Town Council (1995-1998). Until his appointment as a Commissioner in July, 2012, he was a private Legal practitioner.

Daphne Alma Ojumiru Olu-Williams – Commissioner

Daphne Olu Commissioner Olu-Williams is an experienced Trainer/Facilitator and a committed and dedicated Gender Activist. She holds a B.Sc in Economics and Social Sciences and a post-graduate Diploma in Education, from the University of Sierra Leone. She has participated in several trainings in Leadership and Advocacy. Until her appointment as Commissioner in July 2012, she worked as an independent Consultant on Gender and Development issues.

She is founder of the African Kind Hearts Organisation (AKHO), a Community-based organisation (CBO) which aims at empowering women and girls in rural communities. In her capacity as Coordinator of AKHO, she served as board member in various local and international human rights institutions and women’s rights advocacy networks. She served as Electoral Commissioner at the National Electoral Commission – NEC (2006-2008) supervising the Western Region and acted as Chairperson on several occasions.

She also served as National General Secretary, Young Women’s Christian Association (2001-2003), Youth Supervisor - SOS Children’s Village (1998-1999) and Chairperson of the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) Sierra Leone (2005). She is also a motivational speaker and writer. She currently oversees the Directorate of Education and Training

Welcome

Welcome to the official web site of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of the country, established in 2004 by an Act of Parliament. The principal objective of the Commission is to protect and promote human rights throughout the country... READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions About the Commission

What is the Legal Instrument Establishing the Commission?
An Act of Parliament (Act No. 9) established HRCSL in 2004 to protect and promote human rights throughout Sierra Leone, based on recommendations of the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement and the 2004 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report.

What is the Composition of the Commission?
The Commission consists of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and three other Commissioners appointed by the President of Sierra Leone at the beginning of each five-year term of the Commission, through a transparent and participatory process involving civil society. The Presidential appointees go through Parliamentary approval as prescribed in the Schedule of the HRCSL Act 2004. Each set of five Commissioners, by law, is required to include at least two women and two lawyers.

Who we are overview

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone is an independent Commission which was established in 2004 by an Act of Parliament. Our mandate is to protect and promote human rights in Sierra Leone.

What we do?

The Commission’s responsibilities are many. They include:- Receiving, investigating and making decisions on complaints made to it alleging that human rights have been violated. Providing public education and public awareness about human rights Holding public inquiries into human rights issues. Publishing annual state of human rights in Sierra Leone. Publishing information materials on human rights for public officials.

What are the powers of the Commission? To enable it effectively investigate complaints brought before it the Commission has been given powers of the High Court to: Compel witnesses to answer questions put to them by the Commission. To order the production of documents or other things necessary for its investigations Enter and search premises Refer a person to the High Court for contempt if the person refuses or fails without good reason to comply with a decision, direction or order of the Commission.

Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act, 2004

Being an Act to establish a commission for the protection and promotion of human rights in Sierra Leone and to provide for other related matters.

ENACTED by the President and Members of Parliament in this present Parliament assembled.

Francess P. Alghali – Executive Secretary

Francess P. Alghali (M.Ed., B.A. Hons., Dip. Ed.) is an Administrator with over 20 years experience in Administration and Management, having served the two public universities in Sierra Leone. She served as Registrar of Njala University, which is one of the two institutions, established by the Universities Act 2005 and was one of the key personnel involved in drawing up the initial administrative structures, procedures and the rules and regulations of the University.