Aberdeen, Freetown: On June 5th, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, initiated a two-day validation workshop on the 3rd Cycle Universal Periodic Review at the Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen, Freetown.
This workshop convened Government bodies such as the Human Rights Commission, Lawmakers, Civil Society Organizations, and Diplomatic Representatives to assess advancements in achieving new benchmarks and precedents, crucial for shaping the nation’s human rights policies.
Dr. Victoria M. Sulimani, Director General and Ambassador at Large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, lauded the progress and challenges encountered in the previous cycle.
She emphasized the importance of Sierra Leone’s commitment as a signatory to various international human rights treaties, highlighting the need for regular submission of reports to international human rights treaty bodies.
Acting Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs Francess P. Algali, highlighted the establishment of a National Reporting Mechanism and a Permanent Secretariat within the Ministry for the preparation and submission of reports to human rights treaty mechanisms.
Mrs Algali underscored the significance of the UPR review in assessing progress and solicited support from international partners.
The Acting Minister maintained that, the workshop which featured discussions on the mid-term reports, also provided an opportunity for institutions and development partners to outline steps taken towards implementation.
Mrs. Algali reiterated the Government’s commitment to implementing recommendations and urged continued engagement from the International Community and Civil Society Organizations.
The Ambassador of Ireland to Sierra Leone, H. E. Amb. Aidan Fitzpatrick commended Sierra Leone’s progress while urging attention to areas such as freedom of expression and human rights defenders.
The Honorable Member of Parl
iament, Alice Konia Sandy in her statement assured of the ratification of pending human rights instruments in Parliament, emphasizing collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Madam Patricia Naasu Ndanema, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, highlighted achievements in implementing recommendations.
The UN Resident Coordinator representative, Ms. Laurie Manderino, stressed the Ministry’s pivotal role in coordinating human rights bodies and emphasized the importance of UPR review mechanisms in evaluating public institutions’ human rights records.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency