Sierra Leone Human Rights
Human Rights Concerns
Stability and security have increased in Sierra Leone since 2002 with the end of the country's decade-long war. In a November 2007 Presidential election widely regarded as free and fair, Ernest Koroma of the All People’s Congress defeated the sitting Vice-President Solomon Berewa of the Sierra Leone People’s Party. The Special Court for Sierra Leone, which is trying leaders from the civil war of the 1990, completed two of its trials convicting five individuals of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Two trials, including that of Liberia’s former President Charles Taylor, continue. The government also made progress implementing recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Three laws were passed to improve protection of women’s rights.
Genital mutilation remains prevalent in the country, rape and domestic violence cases need more aggressive prosecution, and women need better access to justice. The overall administration of justice remains severely compromised by inadequate training, resources, and infrastructure as well as the prevalence of corruption throughout the system. Eighteen people remain under sentence of death. Finally, Sierra Leoneans face grinding poverty. Economic justice eludes them.
Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone
Amnesty International is campaigning for the right to maternal health in Sierra Leone, where one in eight women die during pregnancy or childbirth. Cost is a crucial barrier to maternal health care.
» Read blog posts from Sierra Leone
» Read the report
» TAKE ACTION: Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone. Amnesty International is campaigning for the right to maternal health in Sierra Leone, where one in eight women die during pregnancy or childbirth. You can assist us by signing our petition to President Koroma.
UPDATE: Great news for global justice
In 2007, the Special Court for Sierra Leone completed the trials of leaders of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and Civil Defense Force convicting the five defendants of war crimes, violations of humanitarian law and crimes against humanity. In a landmark ruling, the Special Court issued the first ever convictions for the crime of child recruitment. The trial of leaders from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) is due to conclude in 2008. The trial of Charles Taylor, Liberia’s former President who supported the RUF, continues. Three years after being originally indicted, Charles Taylor was brought into custody to face the 11 charged of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Read the transcript of the online discussion | Learn more »
Latest News
Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone Special Court Renders Final Judgment in RUF CaseOctober 26, 2009
Sierra Leone: Amnesty International Finds "Human Rights Emergency" in High Rate of Women's Deaths During Pregnancy and Childbirth
September 24, 2009
Sierra Leone: Thousands unite to end maternal mortality in Sierra Leone
September 23, 2009
Sierra Leone: VIDEO: Maternal mortality in Sierra Leone
September 22, 2009
Sierra Leone: Maternal death rate in Sierra Leone is a
September 21, 2009
Sierra Leone: That One in Eight Women Risk Dying During Pregnancy or Childbirth is a Human Rights Emergency
September 21, 2009
Latest Reports
Out of Reach: The Cost of Maternal Health in Sierra LeoneOctober 08, 2009
Vital UN human rights work under threat
May 09, 2007
Sierra Leone: Women face human rights abuses in the informal legal sector
May 17, 2006
Sierra Leone: Special Court for Sierra Leone: Issues for consideration regarding the location of the trial of Charles Taylor
April 05, 2006
