Sierra Leone

Making love a crime: Criminalization of same-sex conduct in Sub-Saharan Africa

Published by on June 25, 2013

Amnesty International 25 June 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report provides an analysis of the legal environment and wider context of human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. Recent years have seen increasing reports of people being harassed, marginalized, discriminated against and attacked because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. This is occurring in countries whose legal systems still condone the criminalization of consensual same-sex behaviour, and in countries where the police and justice systems are failing to prevent these crimes from happening. The continued criminalization of consensual same-sex Read the full article…

Sierra Leone: Freedom in the World 2013

Published by on June 3, 2013

Freedom House 3 June 2013 Much of the year was consumed by preparations for November general elections. While tensions simmered in the months leading up to the elections and some irregularities were reported as ballots were cast, international observers deemed the elections free, fair, and peaceful. Incumbent President Ernest Bai Koroma won with 59 percent of the vote, and the ruling All People’s Congress increased its parliamentary majority. The government made significant progress toward reforming and strengthening electoral institutions and soliciting assistance from civil society organizations in monitoring political parties, and the election was considered a milestone for the consolidation Read the full article…

Sierra Leone: Amnesty International Annual Report 2013

Published by on May 23, 2013

Amnesty International 23 May 2013 The former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, was convicted and sentenced for crimes committed in Sierra Leone during the 11-year armed conflict. The country held its third elections since the end of the conflict, which international observers declared were orderly and transparent. The police used unlawful force against unarmed citizens. The government moved closer to abolition of the death penalty. Agreements between the government and corporations were not transparent and communities affected by corporate activity were not properly consulted about the potential impacts. Read the full report.

Sierra Leone: 2012 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

Published by on April 19, 2013

United States Department of State 19 April 2013 Sierra Leone is a constitutional republic with a directly elected president and a unicameral legislature. In November the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) party won an expanded majority in parliament and citizens reelected President Ernest Bai Koroma in peaceful multiparty elections. Security forces reported to civilian authorities. Major human rights problems included prolonged detention and imprisonment under harsh and life-threatening conditions in prisons and jails; widespread official corruption in all branches of government; and trafficking in persons, including for child labor. Other human rights problems included abusive treatment by police; arbitrary arrest Read the full article…

Sierra Leone: Country of Origin Information

Published by on January 20, 2010

14 January 2010 UK Home Office Country of Origin Information Key Documents: Sierra Leone Available at UNHCR RefWorld Refworld is the leading source of information necessary for taking quality decisions on refugee status. Refworld contains a vast collection of reports relating to situations in countries of origin, policy documents and positions, and documents relating to international and national legal frameworks. The information has been carefully selected and compiled from UNHCR’s global network of field offices, Governments, international, regional and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and judicial bodies.