By Ishmail Saidu Kanu
In its statement delivered at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Pre-Session in Geneva, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) formally urged the Government to expedite approval and disbursement of a one-off annual payment of its approved budget.
Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq., Vice Chairperson of HRCSL, addressed the Assembly in his official capacity, noting that notwithstanding incremental increases in budgetary allocations, delays in the release of funds materially impede the Commission’s ability to respond promptly to human rights concerns across the country.
The Vice Chairperson stressed that HRCSL, as an independent government-established institution, operates pursuant to the Paris Principles, which impose a legal obligation on States to provide sufficient resources, logistical support, and operational independence to National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to enable them to discharge their statutory mandate effectively.
Mentioning institutional constraints, he observed that HRCSL has been historically deprived of essential logistical support, including government-provided vehicles. Since its inception in 2004, only a single vehicle was allocated in 2022, a deficiency that continues to constrain operational effectiveness.
While acknowledging legislative advances, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, V.I. Lansana underscored the slow implementation of these provisions in rural communities, where the majority of women serve as primary economic providers.
He urged the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Sierra Leone to take immediate measures to facilitate access to finance for rural women, in compliance with statutory mandates aimed at economic empowerment and gender equity.
Further, the Vice Chairperson addressed gaps in the Child Rights Act 2025, specifically Section 19, noting that it does not unequivocally criminalize Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) of minors. He formally recommended that the Government amend the Act to explicitly prohibit FGM, underlining that failure to do so constitutes a breach of children’s fundamental rights to health, education, dignity, and life.
Through this statement, HRCSL reasserted its legal and constitutional duty to hold the Government accountable for its human rights obligations, ensuring that legislative reforms translate into tangible protections for all citizens, particularly women and children.
