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Sierra Leone Bar Association has in a press release expressed concern over police refusal of access to detainees arrested during the August 10 violent protest.
August 10 widely condemned protest resulted into a bloody clash between the protesters and police officers trying to stop them, leading to the deaths of several police officers and civilians who were engaged in what the government has described as ‘insurrection.’
Following the protest, there has been several arrests and heightened security as part of a crackdown measure on persons who were involved in the violence. The President has also set up a committee to investigate the incident.
But amidst the crackdown, lawyers are raising concerns of human rights abuse.
In their press release published last week, the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) said it has received several complaints from its membership over the refusal of access to their clients in police detention following the incident.
Over two weeks back, Lansana Dumbuya ESQ wrote a letter the Inspector General of Police concerning the same suspects, complaining that since their arrests, the suspects have neither had access to their lawyers, nor do the lawyers or relatives know their current place of detention.
The Bar association says it is concerned over such complaints especially as its appears to be in contrast with the provision of section 17 (2)(b) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, urging Sierra Leone police to comply with the provision of the constitution and uphold the human rights of all persons arrested or detained.
The association has also requested for a meeting with the IG to discuss, among other things, standard operating procedures in detention facilities and to strengthen police-lawyer relationship.
