By Politico Staff Writer
The United Nations through their Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Morris Tidball-Binz has applauded the Government of Sierra Leone for the repeal of the death penalty through a letter addressed Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Dr. Lansana Gberie.
The death penalty which has been in the law books of the country as a punishment for murder, treason, mutiny and robbery with aggravation was repealed on the 23rd July 2021 in the well of Parliament. The said law has been an integral framework in the legal system of the country since its introduction by the British Colonial Government.
Tidball-Binz described the repeal as a ‘landmark’ and noted his appreciation of the Sierra Leone Parliament for the repeal of the said law. “I remain at your disposal for any future engagement with the Government of Sierra Leone in relation to this important matter,” Tidball-Binz stated in the letter.
Many believe that this drive to dismantle oppressive and draconian laws is fundamental for peace, democracy, accountability, transparency and security.
The repeal of the death penalty follows that of Part 5 of the Public Order Act of 1965; that Criminalises defamation and Libel which many saw as a catalyst for oppressing the press and freedom of information and communication.
The Government sees the repeal of the death penalty as merger of the country’s legal system with international best practice and a pacesetter in the domain of human rights for other countries within the sub-region.
Sierra Leone is due to appear at the Human Rights Council to adopt a total of 274 recommendations. This is in recognizance of the 3rd Cycle Universal Periodic Review of the country’s human rights that took place sometime in May 2021.
According to report from the Sierra Leone Press Attaché to Switzerland, the UN Special Rapporteur had been in close consultation with the country through Ambassador Gberie since President Julius Maada Bio’s stance to repeal the said law and subsequent parliamentary discussions and processes to repeal the said law and that Ambassador Gberie had assured him of the government’s desire to abolish the death penalty.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (30/07/21)
