The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Babatunde Ahonsi, has called for action in standing up for human right issues in Sierra Leone and across the globe.

He made the call during the commemoration of this year’s Human Right Day which was also marked by the launch of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Babatunde Ahonsi described the commemoration of this year’s Human Right Day as significant because of the launch of the 75th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Right which hope to showcase the legacy, relevance and activism.

Stressing the theme which is “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for all”, U.N Resident Coordinator noted it a wakeup call for all to stand up for human right issues. He noted the United Nation will embark on education on the Universal declaration as a fundamental and foundational blueprint to take concert action to stand up for human rights, promote attitudinal change, empower and mobilise vulnerable groups to fight for their rights.

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Since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, human rights issues have advance and become more recognised supported by countries constitutions around the world making is more relevant.

Speaking on strides taken to protect and save the dignity and rights of both man and women in Sierra Leone U.N Women’s Representative, Setcheme Mongbo, mentioned that this year Sierra Leone has adopted a new election law that was amended to ensure the political rights of women.

She also applauded the recently enacted gender equality and women’s empowerment act which she noted covers several areas including women’s representation and participation in politics, in public offices giving them at least 30% representation in parliament, in cabinet, local councils, in all appointments as ambassadors and commissioners and also attain higher positions in both public and private institutions.

European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone in his speech mentioned the United Nations stands in upholding the universality of all human rights and public freedoms as a crucial part of rules base world order.

He also stated that human rights issues are at the heart of the European Union’s internal and external relations and that the European Union upholds and advances human rights around the world.

He futured that achieving human rights is not only imperative of human dignity but also it is a corner stone of democracy, peace, security and sustainable development.

While reflecting on the steps taken to protecting human rights obligations, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mamadi Gobeh Kamara highlighted some of the action taken by government under the leadership of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in guaranteeing human rights in Sierra Leone.

She stated that as a way to respect the enhancement of the rights of women and girls, extensive legislative and administrative action have been taken to address, respond to and mitigate sexual and gender base violence.

These she said include the establishment of the Sexual Offenses Court for the speedy trails of perpetrators who have portrayed act of violence against women and girls with a possible life imprisonment sentence if found of rape.

She explained that Sierra Leone took further step by co-facilitating the UN General Assembly Resolution entitled International Cooperation for Access to Justice, Remedies and Assistance for Survivors of Social Violence which calls on all to promote access to promote access to justice, remedies and assistance for victims and survivors of sexual violence.

She further noted her government believes in tolerance and inclusions which are non – negotiable human rights and that the bill entitled gender equality and women’s empowerment act 2022 for the development of Sierra Leone has been recently passed to address the gender imbalances and make provisions for increased elective position for women and to provide for the promotion of gender equality in employment and training, gender mainstreaming and related matters.