Human Rights Commission Orders SLP and RSLAF to Compensate Victims of Political Violence with NLE 475,000 Within 21 Days

In the event of the release of the Human RightsCommission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) report, the Vice Chairman of HRCSL, Victor Idrissa Lansana said that the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have 21 days to compensate NLE 475.000 to political victims or the Law will be enforced.

The report not only stated assault caused by Law enforcers but also outlined recommendations that should be implemented.

During a press conference at the commission’s headquarters, HRCSL Vice Chairman Victor Idrissa Lansana disclosed that the report, which covers incidents between 2015 and 2021, documented 178 complaints from individuals who suffered violence at the hands of law enforcement officers.

Lansana highlighted a particularly notable case from Kenema in 2020, where police officer George Bockarie shot a young woman, Hassanatu, with a tear gas canister, causing severe eye injuries that forced her to discontinue her education. The commission’s investigation found that Bockarie was never located, leading the HRCSL to recommend that the SLP compensate Hassanatu with SLE 50,000 and cover the costs of her medical treatment.

“The SLP should compensate Hassanatu with SLE 50,000 and fund her proper medical care,” Lansana reiterated.

He further emphasized the commission’s recommendation that the SLP adopt a more rigorous approach to investigating the conduct of its personnel.

The report documented a total of 120 cases of political violence across the country, resulting in a recommendation that the SLP pay SLE 305,100 in compensation to victims of police brutality. Additionally, the RSLAF has been ordered to pay SLE 107,000 in compensation to victims from 2015 to 2021.

When asked whether the SLP and RSLAF were aware of the compensation orders, Lansana confirmed that the commission had notified the SLP about the report and sent them a hard copy. He added that all parties involved have 21 days from the report’s release to comply with the recommendations or face legal consequences.

“They have 21 days from the report’s launch to comply, or the law will be enforced,” Lansana stated.

HRCSL Commissioner Simitie Lavaly provided further details on the selection process for the 120 cases. The commission was divided into three teams—one covering the South-East Region, one for the Northern Region, and another for the Western Area—to analyze whether the cases occurred within the tribunal’s timeframe of 2015 to 2021. The teams also assessed whether the offences were indeed committed by law enforcement officers and whether there were any deaths involved, among other factors.

“We assessed whether the cases were against law enforcement officers and if they fell within the tribunal’s timeframe,” Lavaly explained.

She clarified that the commission focused on two key criteria: identifying instances of political tension and understanding the plight of the victims.