The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) today continued its capacity-building initiative for District Human Rights Committees (DHRCs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the northern region, focusing on human rights monitoring and reporting standards.

The two-day training, held at the Bombali District Council Hall in Makeni and funded by UNDP and Irish Aid, emphasizes the importance of human rights indicators in tracking the implementation of recommendations from Treaty Bodies and Special Mechanisms.

The Directorate of Treaty Bodies Reporting and International Mechanisms is spearheading the workshop, which aims to enhance the skills of local advocates to monitor and report effectively on human rights issues in Sierra Leone. The training covers key techniques for gathering accurate data and ensuring reliable documentation to support actions on human rights abuses.

Adama B. Sesay, Vice Chairperson of the Bombali District Human Rights Committee, emphasized the significance of the training, highlighting that it would empower DHRCs and CSOs to better document and report on the country’s compliance with international human rights standards. “It will be difficult to report on human rights issues if you are not knowledgeable,” Sesay stated, committing to share the knowledge with her colleagues.

Commissioner Hassan Samba Yarjah commended the role of DHRCs and CSOs in safeguarding human rights and urged participants to maintain rigorous standards in their monitoring activities. “Your work in providing accurate reports on human rights issues is crucial to prompt action,” he told attendees.

The training is part of a broader effort to strengthen local human rights monitoring frameworks, a move that advocates hope will enhance accountability and support the advancement of human rights across Sierra Leone.