By Alpha Abu
The Security Sector through the Office of the National Security Adviser has issued a press release expressing alarm at what it said is the “growing spate of tribal and hate messages in the social media directed against certain ethnic groups of Sierra Leone”.
Social media has in recent times been inundated with ethnic diatribes and disturbing inciting messages by people in and outside of the country.
Therefore the security sector said that “to record and circulate tribal messages against certain ethnic groups is self-serving, unlawful, counterproductive and not representative” of the nation’s collective heritage.
The sector emphasised its regard for freedom of speech as a fundamental human right of every citizen but criticised any blatant and malicious defending of the image of any other person or ethnic group. It said such an act is deviant in nature and does not fall within the sphere of human rights.
The security sector indicated it would swiftly deal with the situation by employing the full force of the law on persons “confirmed to have recorded, shared and forwarded any tribal or hate message directed against any individual or ethnic group”. It said such incidents will be seen as acts of crime.
The security sector comprised personnel from the Office of National Security (ONS), the Military, Police, Correctional Service, and Fire Department.
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone in a statement over the weekend also expressed concerns over what it said are “incendiary materials many of which are ethnic bigotry’’, that the commission says “have the potential to ruin the peace and security”, of the nation.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (22/06/22)
