Rita French, the United Kingdom's International Ambassador for Human Rights, says Sierra Leone's participation in the Universal Periodic Review Adoption as well as its commitment to achieving progress on human rights, is welcomed by the United Kingdom.
She remarked, Sierra Leone's Universal Periodic Review Adoption last week.
In her speech, Rita French says the UK applauds the government's commitment to creating a National Human Rights Action Plan and hopes that it will result in further progress. The United Kingdom reiterates its commitment to assisting Sierra Leone in its efforts to advance human rights and democracy.
The United Kingdom is happy that Sierra Leone fully endorses our second proposal and applauds the Parliament's vote to abolish the death penalty. This is a significant step forward for Sierra Leone's democratic freedoms and rights, and we encourage the President to sign it into law as soon as possible.
Also commending the current judicial reforms, she said “we regret that Sierra Leone did not accept recommendations to end FGM. We are concerned that this does not support Sierra Leone’s agenda for protecting women’s rights, and we hope Sierra Leone will reconsider these recommendations, and join the global movement to end FGM.”
Finally, she said, “We encourage the Government and the Human Rights Commission to submit a mid-term report outlining Sierra Leone’s progress on recommendations ahead of the next UPR.”
At the UPR a presentation was made by Anthony Yeihwoe Brewah, the Attorney-General, and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has accepted 216 recommendations and highlighted 58, according to the National Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone.
Speaking on notable suggestions, such as those concerning female genital mutilation and legislation impacting the lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender population, he stated that these proposals were not rejected, however, the suggestions have cultural and legal ramifications, thus the government needs to first participate in broad-based national discussions to build consensus on them. However, the AG said Sierra Leone will now continue to consult with stakeholders on the agreed suggestions and will begin implementing them immediately.
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