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A team from the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone led by the Executive Secretary, Joseph Kamara, engaged the Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland in Freetown, Ásdís Bjarnadóttir in Freetown, 6th March 2025.
The inaugural engagement focused on potential collaboration in key priority areas, including the Blue Economy (supporting women and children in fishing communities), Gender Equality (addressing FGM and the rights of persons with disabilities), Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Governance and Civic Rights, and Human Rights and Climate Change.
In his brief remarks, the Executive Secretary, Joseph Kamara, thanked the Head of Mission for the opportunity to discuss potential areas of collaboration. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in advancing human rights and highlighted the Commission’s commitment to fostering meaningful cooperation with international development partners.
Mr. Kamara provided an overview of the Commission, its mandate, and its core functions, the various Directorates within the Commission, and their roles, focusing on collaboration and key partnerships established over the years.
In response, the Head of Mission, Ásdís Bjarnadóttir outlined the Embassy’s key priority areas: which include the Blue Economy, Fisheries, focusing on improving the lives of women and children in fishing communities.
Further adding Gender Equality, addressing issues related to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), rights of persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI rights; and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)—supporting initiatives to enhance access to clean water and sanitation.
She also highlighted Governance and Civic Rights as other priority areas, emphasizing the need to promote good governance and civic
The Embassy expressed its commitment to supporting national efforts while remaining mindful of the sensitivities surrounding these issues. Both parties expressed interest in joint initiatives, with further engagements planned to strengthen collaboration.
