By Mohamed Lamin Banya
Amnesty International has raised concerns over rising kush-related deaths, threats to press freedom, and broader human rights challenges in Sierra Leone in its 2025 human rights report.
The organization said freedom of expression remained under pressure, particularly due to libel provisions in the Cyber Security and Crime Act and an anti-terrorism law that could restrict media freedom and criminalize journalists.
Amnesty International warned that the anti-terrorism legislation could allow authorities to interpret legitimate journalism as a threat to national security. Journalists could face severe penalties, including prison sentences, for reporting information considered false or prejudicial by authorities.
The report also mentioned the case of reality television personality Hawa Hunt, who was detained for more than two months after allegedly insulting President Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady in a social media video.
On public health, Amnesty International expressed concern over the growing kush drug crisis in Sierra Leone. According to the report, the Freetown City Council collected the bodies of 220 people who died on the streets between January and October 2025 due to kush consumption.
The organization acknowledged government efforts to combat substance abuse through treatment programs and law enforcement measures targeting drug trafficking networks.
Amnesty International also reported that Sierra Leone recorded more than half of Africa’s confirmed Mpox cases by May 2025, although authorities distributed thousands of vaccine doses to contain the outbreak.
The report further discussed women’s rights, food insecurity, and climate change challenges. While acknowledging progress made through the Child Rights Act 2024, Amnesty criticized the government for failing to criminalize Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Despite the concerns raised, the organization noted that the government made efforts to improve healthcare, strengthen food security, and address environmental challenges during the year.
