FoSLYN Condemns Police for Suppressing Free Speech and Right to Assembly

The Forum of Sierra Leonean Youth Network (FoSLYN) has raised serious concerns regarding recent police actions that allegedly violate citizens’ rights to free assembly and speech.

In a statement delivered by Executive Director Thomas P. A Babadie, the organization highlighted their recent experience, which included detention and criminal investigations following their peaceful assembly aimed at holding the Electoral Commission accountable for delayed election results.

According to Executive Director, the assembly, organized to remind the Electoral Commission of its pledge to announce the results of the disputed Presidential election by constituencies, was in accordance with the rights guaranteed by both Chapter 3 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. Those documents emphasize the fundamental rights of citizens, including freedom of assembly and expression.

FoSLYN’s leadership expressed disappointment over the Sierra Leone Police’s actions, describing them as a blatant disregard for constitutional provisions. The group asserts that their detention for ten days constitutes a serious violation of their rights as citizens. They vehemently reject the labeling of their actions as criminal, emphasizing that their intent was to engage in a responsible dialogue for transparency and accountability.

Babadie stated, “We are not a mob but a highly organized Civil Society group,” further pointing out that they had communicated their intentions to the police in advance to ensure a peaceful gathering. He underscored that the necessity for government institutions, such as the Electoral Commission, to be accountable to the populace is pivotal to the functioning of a democracy.

In the statement, FoSLYN called attention to the alarming implications of citizens being unable to assert their rights without facing state repression. The organization reiterated the importance of civil society in protecting the rights and liberties of individuals, denouncing any actions that may lead Sierra Leone towards becoming a police state.

FoSLYN continues to advocate for the protection of fundamental human rights and urges authorities to respect the freedoms of assembly and expression as laid out in both national and international law. The organization remains committed to ensuring that the voices of Sierra Leonean citizens are heard and respected in the democratic process.