On International Women’s Day, CARL-SL Urges the government to enact the Sexual Offences and Legal Aid Bills
Freetown, March 7, 2012 – The Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law – Sierra Leone (CARL-SL) today urged the Government of Sierra Leone to step up efforts to enact the Sexual Offences and Legal Aid Bills. The bills, if enacted, would represent a significant step forward in addressing sexual based crimes as well as enhancing access to justice for the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans. Sexual-based crimes and inadequate access to justice certainly constitute some of the major challenges confronting the country. Section 23(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone guarantees every accused a fair hearing within a reasonable time, while the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) imposes a duty on states to provide legal assistance to indigent persons “where the interest of justice requires”. Ten years after the end of Sierra Leone’s civil war, it is estimated that at least 70% of the legal needs of poor Sierra Leoneans are unmet. In a country where poverty and illiteracy levels are ever so high, it is obvious that providing fees for legal services remains a major barrier to access to justice.
The Legal Aid Bill makes provision for free legal representation and advice to indigent Sierra Leoneans in both criminal and civil matters. The Bill is a novelty, and represents a progressive attempt to model the national justice system along the lines of countries like Nigeria and the UK. The Sexual Offences Bill would not only help combat sexual based crimes, but would also promote a Sierra Leonean society free from egregious sexual immoralities. It also imposes sanctions on persons who induce mentally disabled persons to engage in sexual activity.
“Out-of-court settlements for sexual-based offences pose a serious impediment to national efforts at fostering accountability for such crimes. The Sexual Offences Bill imposes sanctions on persons, regardless of their status, who enable out-of-court settlements. Once the bill is enacted, Sierra Leone will genuinely begin the journey towards a society that respects the rights of women and girls,” CARL’s Executive Director said today.
CARL welcomes the efforts by the government and its partners for initiating the bills, and urges the relevant authorities to demonstrate genuine commitment to ensuring that the bills are enacted without undue delay. As Sierra Leone joins the international community in commemorating the International Women’s Day, enacting the bills without undue delay would send a clear message about the country’s increased commitment to enhancing access to justice for the vast majority of its citizens as well as combating sexual based crimes in the country.
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