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AdvocAid, LA.W.Y.E.R.S., I.LR.A.J., A Girl At a time, Amnesty International, and Girlz Empowered, has on a press release denounced the recent arrest and detention of Zainab Sheriff.
A joint press release from the aforementioned organizations has condemned the recent arrest and detention of Zainab Sheriff, a popular entertainer and entrepreneur for a video she posted online expressing her frustration with the current government.
The release stated that Zainab’s detention is a blatant violation of her freedom of expression, and although she has been released on bail as of 20 April, all charges against her should be dropped.
The organizations expressed their outrage that her detention was solely for expressing her opinion and declared that such an act is unacceptable.
Furthermore, the organizations emphasized that this form of intimidation against a woman for expressing her opinion contravenes the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022. The act aims to increase women’s political participation and promote gender equality in Sierra Leone, and such actions can discourage women from participating in public discourse, a setback to the act’s objectives.
The organizations urged the government to respect and safeguard the freedom of expression, including the right to criticize and hold those in power accountable. A thriving democracy requires a free and robust media and civil society actively engaged in public
