Amnesty International, Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) and Human Rights Defenders Network-Sierra Leone have requested for the release of the Edmond Abu.

“Sending an activist to prison for 21 days without a proven case of contempt could be perceived as intimidation of human right defenders and lead to silencing of watchdog institutions,” the organisations said.

The organisations in a press release called for cooperation between the judiciary and activists rather than using their discretionary powers against them.

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) said that although the court has the right to protect their sanctity and integrity but that they should be cognisant of the discretionary use of such powers especially on human rights defenders and other citizens.

“We believe that human rights defenders and citizens should be provided the space and opportunity to freely express their views and engage in acts of legitimate dissent as provided for by the laws of Sierra Leone,” the release reads.

The CSOs urged human rights activists to work within the ambit of the law while also requesting that the judiciary and other state apparatus to exercise restraint and dialogue in dealing with activists and citizens.

Abu, the Executive Director of Native Consortium and Research Centre (NCRC) was arrested for contempt on the Main Law Court Building on Tuesday 10th January.

The NCRC Executive Director has been in court with Orange Sierra Leone, Africell, Sierratel and National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) for years now. However, on the same day of his arrest, Justice Adrian Fisher dismissed claims made by the NCRC but seemingly ordered the companies to operate with transparency.