The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has released a public notice expressing its concern over the Amnesty International report, “Sierra Leone Seven Months after August’s protests which turned violent in some locations, no justice yet for those injured or the families of those killed.” While the SLP acknowledges the loss of lives during the August 2022 protests, it views the report as biased, distorted, and partial.
While the SLP acknowledges the loss of lives during the August 2022 protests, it views the report as biased, distorted, and partial.
The SLP states that its use of force to contain the violent insurrection was proportional, reasonable, and necessary given the facts and circumstances to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Moreover, a special investigation committee was established by His Excellency Brigadier (RTD) Julius Maada Bio on 24th August, 2022 to examine the consequences of the insurrection and the response of the security forces.
The SLP also notes that Amnesty International fails to report on the savage manner in which unarmed police officers were chased and brutally murdered by civilians to the extent of beating their dead bodies. This apparent omission by Amnesty International undermines the impartiality of the report and is insensitive to the plight of families of the slain police officers.
Furthermore, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) provided all detainees who were arrested following the August insurrection access to their lawyers in compliance with due process.
The SLP reassures the public and international partners that its primary responsibility for law enforcement and crime investigation would be discharged in compliance with international and national human rights standards.
While Amnesty International is a reputable organization that plays a vital role in human rights advocacy worldwide, it is essential to ensure that reports are unbiased and balanced. The SLP is correct in highlighting the savage attacks on unarmed police officers, which should have been given equal attention in the report.
While Amnesty International is a reputable organization that plays a vital role in human rights advocacy worldwide, it is essential to ensure that reports are unbiased and balanced. The SLP is correct in highlighting the savage attacks on unarmed police officers, which should have been given equal attention in the report.
It is crucial to recognize that the SLP and Amnesty International share a common goal of upholding human rights standards. Therefore, constructive dialogue and collaboration between the two parties would be the best approach to address concerns raised by the SLP in a manner that promotes human rights and good governance in Sierra Leone.
The SLP’s public notice raises legitimate concerns regarding the Amnesty International report’s impartiality and sensitivity towards the plight of families of slain police officers. It is imperative to acknowledge and address these concerns to promote a fair and balanced approach to human rights advocacy in Sierra Leone.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The attention of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has been drawn to an Amnesty International Report titled: “Sierra Leone Seven Months after August’s protests which turned violent in some locations, no justice yet for those injured or the families of those killed.” The SLP views this report as biased, distorted and partial.
The SLP is concerned not only about the veracity of the allegations contained in the report but also the manner in which they were presented against the Sierra Leone police. Therefore, the SLP wishes to state the following:
1. The use of force by the SLP to contain the violent insurrection in August 2022 was proportional, reasonable and necessary given the facts and circumstances to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose.
2. A special investigation committee was established by His Excellency Bragadier (RTD) Julius Maada Bio on 24th August, 2022 to examine, among other things, the consequences of the insurrection and the response of the security forces. Therefore, any official police investigation into the killings of protesters and bystanders may have prejudiced the outcome the special investigation committee.
3. While we continue to express sorrow for the loss of lives generally, Amnesty International fails to report on the savage manner in which unarmed Police Officers were chased and brutally murdered by civilians to the extent of beating their dead bodies. This apparent omission by Amnesty International undermines the impartiality of the report. Further, it is insensitive to the plight of families of the slain police officers and a dereliction of duty.
4. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) provided all detainees, who were arrested following the August insurrection, access to their lawyers in compliance with due process.
SLP wishes to reassure the public and all international partners that its primary responsibility for law enforcement and crime investigation would be discharged in compliance with international and national human rights standards.
Signed, Media and Public Relations Department, George Street, Freetown, 24th March, 2023
