Salone Human rights record commended

By Zainab Kanu

The Public Relations Officer of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone

(HRCSL), has said that the country’s human rights record for 2011 is satisfactory and that progress has been made to improve on it.

In an interview with AYV, Mr. Henry Tucker said the report, which is already out, contained the challenges they faced in carrying out their mandate, and noted that most times people did not even know what human rights and abuses were.

He also explained that they recorded no political prisoners in 2011 apart from other violations which occurred for which the offenders have been sent to prison.

Mr. Tucker noted that the report has also been reviewed by the international committee, who he said have expressed satisfaction with developments being made in the country so far.

He observed that as elections get closer they were calling on the Police to get the proper training and the right mindset to carry out their functions professionally and impartially.

He stressed that human rights issues were very important as they affected the very survival of the people.

He maintained that as a Commission they would not relent in their efforts to educate the citizens on their rights, and promote and uphold those rights.