The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has taken action following the discovery of two severe cases of child cruelty involving young children whose hands were tied and who sustained serious injuries, with one child now at risk of amputation.

The cases were identified between 16 and 20 February 2026 during a monitoring exercise conducted by the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) through its Directorate of Gender and Children’s Affairs.

The exercise covered selected hospitals in Freetown and focused on assessing the handling of child cruelty, gender-based violence (GBV), and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases. Both children are currently receiving treatment at Connaught Hospital.

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The first case involves a 10-year-old girl from Bo District who was reportedly severely beaten and had her hands tied by her aunt for three days. According to information gathered during the monitoring visit, the abuse caused serious physical injuries that required hospitalisation. She was later transferred to Connaught Hospital in Freetown for further medical treatment.

The matter is being handled by Bo West Police Station. The investigating officer informed the HRCSL team that investigations have been completed. However, the officer stated that the victim must be physically present as the primary witness for the case to proceed in court.

This has created a procedural challenge, as the child remains hospitalised in Freetown and is currently unable to travel to Bo to testify. Police confirmed that the alleged perpetrator was arrested and later granted bail pending further proceedings.

The second incident occurred in Sussex Village in the Western Area Rural District, where a 6-year-old boy was reportedly assaulted by his grandfather after misplacing a phone charging card. The child’s hands were tied and he was severely beaten, resulting in serious injuries to both arms.

He was first taken to Emergency Hospital and later referred to Connaught Hospital, where he remains under medical care. During the monitoring visit, the Sister-in-Charge at Connaught Hospital informed the HRCSL team that due to the severity of the injuries, medical assessment indicates that the child’s arms may require amputation.

The case is being investigated by Adonkia Police Station. Police told the Commission that evidence was collected from the scene and that investigations are ongoing. The suspect remains in police custody and has reportedly admitted to the act.

HRCSL described both incidents as clear violations of the Child Rights Act, 2025 (No. 16 of 2025). Section 19 of the Act provides that “A child shall not be subjected to physical violence, including torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment which dehumanises or is injurious to the physical and mental welfare of a child.”

Section 29 states that “A child shall not be subjected to corporal punishment,” while Section 14 establishes that “the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration” in every action concerning a child.

The Commission emphasised that the Child Rights Act, 2025, is unequivocal that violence against children is unlawful and cannot be justified under any circumstances.

HRCSL stated that it will continue to monitor both cases closely and follow up with the relevant police stations to ensure due process, the timely progression of investigations, and the protection of the best interests of the affected children.