By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has in a press statement condemned the persistent spate of diatribes and hate speeches that have been promoted on mostly whatsaap, the most popular social media platform in the country.
“The HRCSL in its general monitoring role has been monitoring different social media platforms which have recently been flooded with hate messages and diatribes from Sierra Leoneans both within and outside the country with the aim of inciting civil and political unrest and ultimately bringing the State to a standstill. The HRCSL hereby vehemently and roundly condemn all forms of hate messages and diatribes and all the pioneers and promoters of same, and as such calls on those persons behind such unpatriotic practices to desist from such acts forthwith,” the statement partly reads.
The statement noted that the Commission had been one of the foremost defenders of free speech as it consistently called on successive governments through its Annual State of Human Rights Reports, strategic and media engagements, to repeal the criminal and seditious libel law contained in the Public Order Act of 1965 - a call that has now been recently adhered to by the government.
The commission, however, added that messages of hate and division do not constitute the free speech envisaged by the repeal nor do they constitute the spirit contained in Section 25, Subsection (1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and other international laws and treaties of which the country acceded to.
The commission further reminded the government of Sierra Leone of its primary state obligation to provide security for its citizens and everyone staying in Sierra Leone as provided by Section 5 (2) (b) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
“It is accordingly declared that - (b) the security, peace and welfare of the people of Sierra Leone shall be the primary purpose and responsibility of the Government, and to this end it shall be the duty of the Armed Forces, the Police, Public Officers and all security agents to protect and safeguard the people of Sierra Leone,” it referenced.
It urged the government and its relevant agencies to ensure that the security of the state and its people is safeguarded at all times within the confines of the laws of the land and international covenants and protocols to which Sierra Leone is a State Party.
As every rights comes with a responsibility, the commission also called on citizens to abide by the provision contained in Section 13 of the Constitution which provides mandatory Duties of the Citizen which include but not limited to:
“A sense of nationalism and patriotism so that loyalty to the State shall override sectional, ethnic, tribal or other loyalties; protect and preserve public property; ensure the proper control and upbringing of his children and wards; render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order.”
HRCSL is the statutory body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights of all in Sierra Leone, pursuant to Section 7 (1) of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act of 2004.
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