By Cheryl Thomas
Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has cautioned the government of Sierra Leone over the tendency of violating the rights of its citizen with the declaration of an indefinite curfew.
The curfew first declared in the aftermath of the November 26th failed attempted coup on imposed restrictions on citizens’ movement. Initially it had no time limit It was shortly reviewed to run from 9pm to 6am daily. On Monday, December 11, the curfew was again reviewed to run from 12am to 6am.
But CHRDI, in a statement issued hours before the government announced the reviewed curfew time, argues that restrictions through indefinite curfew should be backed by a declaration of a state of emergency, either for health or security reasons.
“The government has already regulated free movement and assembly without a state of emergency,” the organization lamented.
It notes that the indefinite curfew is a violation of human rights, citing relevant constitutional provisions guaranteeing the unhindered enjoyment of people’s freedom of movement and assembly.
Suggesting solutions for the political turmoil in the nation, CHRDI in its statement encourages the government to engage in continued free and open debate amongst citizens and civil society. The rights campaign group said it regarded the above as a core means by which democratic societies can navigate political tensions peacefully.
Going further on investigating and prosecuting suspects of the alleged failed attempted coup, CHRDI recommended that government set up an independent judge led inquiry into the country’s security sector, which it said should be charged with the responsibility of identifying ways to protect and prevent the country from future atrocities.
