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Isha Kanu-Moriba, a long-time activist, has expressed serious concerns about the proposed Counter-Terrorism Act 2024 in an open letter to Sierra Leonean citizens, particularly members of parliament and lawmakers.
Kanu-Moriba argues that several articles within the draft legislation are vaguely worded and could pose a significant threat to civil liberties.
Kanu-Moriba fears the Act could be used to suppress freedom of speech, opinion, participation, and movement. She believes the proposed legislation is more draconian than any law previously enacted in Sierra Leone and warns that it could severely restrict activism, journalism, and civic space. She suggests that even objective criticism of the state could be labeled as terrorism.
Kanu-Moriba contends that the Act, if passed, would create an environment of fear and insecurity, potentially hindering the formation of political parties, civil society organizations, media outlets, and religious groups.
She warns that it could effectively end democratic governance and pave the way for a one-party state. She also raises concerns about the Act potentially superseding the 1991 National Constitution, specifically citing Article 12’s definition of terrorism and Articles 21 and 22 as being insufficiently specific.
Kanu-Moriba urges citizens, fellow activists, and legal experts to read the Counter-Terrorism Act 2024, available online, and to voice their concerns through press releases and position papers, advocating for amendments or the complete abolishment of the proposed legislation.
A Letter to Concerned Citizens With Views of Isha Kanu-Moriba About the Counter Terrorism Act 2024
Dear Sierra Leoneans, especially to you Members of Parliament and national lawmakers from all political parties,
I am pleased to bring to your attention that on 27 January 2025, after reading the draft Counter Terrorism Act 2024, because of several enclosed articles with non-patent specifications, it’s makes me became very restless filled with fear about what would become of our country in the unforeseen future.
Therefore, I am humbly appealing to you all my dear co-citizens, to kindly take your time to read the proposed Counter Terrorism Act 2024, which I did not only considered from my opinion is with the intent of taking away our civic right to speak and share our opinions, our right to participate or initiate our honest ideas, and our right to movement which might be misinterpreted by the deciding proposed body of state authorities, but this will be more draconian than any constituted law ever conceded in our country. Further, my dear co-citizens, I would like to bring to your attention that if the Counter Terrorism Bill 2024 is adapted to law, this will not only affect all political authorities in the opposition, but this would seriously limit activism, and journalism led roles by common citizens. And this will bring a total shrinking of the civic space in Sierra Leone.
As an activist for over decades in Sierra Leone, I am foreseeing that our activism roles in, and from outside the country would easily be classified as an act of terrorism and there would be no platform for me and you as co-citizens of Sierra Leone included Sierraloaded to share our positive critics and views. Because anything you say objectively to the state might easily be classified as an act of terrorism. Both the rule of law and justice proceedings will be selective as to always suit the comfort of those in authority or in national decision-making platforms.
From my opinion if the Counter Terrorism Act is legislated, nobody would feel safe in the country. And if we opt to fold our hands to allow the proposed Counter Terrorism Act to be legalized, trust my dear co-citizens, nobody would have the right to form or lead a political party in Sierra Leone, a new organization including a Civil Society Organization, new media publishing entity or a religious group would not easily be established depending how those in authority will define your ideology as one might easily be classified to be forming or organizing a terrorist group. This will bring the end of democratic governance of the government of the people, for the people, and by the people in Sierra Leone. Thus, this would lead the nation to a one Party-State.
Lastly, if this Counter Terrorism Act is passed, it would likely become more powerful than the 1991 National Constitution. In article 12, the definition of terrorism made is not well specified, including articles 21, 22, and many others.
Please, Sierra Leoneans, colleague activists, patriotic nationals, especially to you all our patriotic national learned legal luminaries to kindly spare some of your time to read the Counter Terrorism Act 2024, as your national responsibility. Type the prescribed law on Google and have a copy downloaded on your phone or laptop. Please let’s produce multiple press releases, position papers with your concerns for the amendment, or abolishment of the proposed draconian act.
Regards to you all my wonderful co-citizens of the Land that We Love, Our SierraLeone.
Yours sincerely
Isha Kanu-Moriba
A Patriotic Citizen of Sierra Leone
Not surprising in the least as to where this government intends taking this nation to since that fateful year they came to power. Every single day has been marked by very strange & bizarre events; with some, unprecedent in this country.
You have said it all miss kanu moriba.
Your article delved into the core aspects of the constitution of Sierra Leone, which is freedom and liberty amd security of the people of the country of Sierra Leone 🇸🇱.
If this draconian terrorism law is to pass and be came law of the land. Obviously our rights will definitely be trample upon
.
Therefore I am joining you as a fellow sierra leonean to call upon this elegimate regime to immediately stop this abuse of authority in parliament.