Human Right Reports

The State of Human Rights in Sierra Leone 2011

Executive Summary

Sections 24 (1) and 7(g) of the HRCSLAct No.9 of 2004 makes the publication of an annual SOHR Report mandatory. The Commission, in adherence to this mandate, publishes its fifth annual SOHR Report.

PART I: gives a synopsis of the historical background of Sierra Leone, the civil war and the post-war recovery and peace consolidation processes. It also highlights the expiration of the term of the first set of Commissioners and the Commission's Mission, Vision, Core Values and statutory mandate.

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HRCSL Bumbuna Public Inquiry Report 2012

Report of the Public Inquiry into Alleged Human Rights Violations in Bumbuna, Tonkolili District in Relation to the Events of 16TH, 17TH and 18TH April, 2012, in accordance with Section 7 (2) (a) of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act, 2004 and Section 42 of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone
(Complaint, Investigations and Inquiries) Rules, 2008

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The State of Human Rights in Sierra Leone 2010

Sierra Leone is a constitutional republic with a directly elected president, a unicameral legislature, and a population of approximately 5.7 million. In peaceful multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections held in 2007, the opposition All People's Congress (APC) won a majority in parliament, and citizens elected party leader Ernest Bai Koroma president. Domestic and international observers characterized the elections as credible and free but noted irregularities that did not affect the outcome.

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World Report 2011: Sierra Leone

Events of 2010


Throughout 2010 the government of President Ernest Bai Koroma made meaningful progress in addressing endemic corruption and improving access to justice and key economic rights, notably health care and education. Endemic public and private corruption has for decades undermined development, and was one of the major factors underpinning the 11-year armed conflict that ended in 2002.


High levels of unemployment, persistent weaknesses in the performance of the police and judiciary, and increased political tension in advance of the 2012 elections slowed the consolidation of the rule of law. Through the efforts of the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, however, progress continued in achieving accountability for war crimes committed during the armed conflict.

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Amnesty International 2011 Sierra Leone Report

The government continued to rebuild institutions and infrastructure in the wake of the civil war, promoting development and providing basic health and education. In an effort to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality, the government introduced a free health care policy for pregnant and lactating women and for children under five. Despite some progress however, the country continued to suffer from widespread poverty-related violations of socio-economic rights; a high incidence of sexual and gender-based violence; violations of children’s rights; impunity for past crimes against humanity; justice system weaknesses; non-implementation of crucial Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations; prevalent corruption; and the looming threat of ethnic violence.

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