The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet has been alarmed by reports of several deaths and injuries in violent anti-government protests in Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone.

The UN Commissioner issued a statement on the violent protest in rocked the nation on Thursday 11 August 2022.

Check out the full Comment made by UN High Commissioner for waeHuman Rights Michelle Bachelet below:

“I am alarmed by reports of several casualties and fatalities yesterday in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown during public protests.

I call on the Government of Sierra Leone to hold prompt, impartial and thorough investigations into yesterday’s violence and bring those responsible to account regardless of their status and political affiliation. I urge all sides to embrace dialogue.

Sierra Leone must remain firmly on the path of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The authorities should facilitate rather than seek to prevent peaceful protests, and desist from unnecessary and disproportionate responses to the protests such as shutting down the Internet and imposing open-ended curfews.