U.S. Government Releases 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Sierra Leone

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor has released its 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, highlighting both progress and ongoing concerns in Sierra Leone.
While there were no credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings by the government or its agents, unlike the previous year, significant human rights issues, including credible reports of arbitrary arrest or detention, persist. The government has taken some steps to address abuses, but impunity remains a problem.
Regarding freedom of expression, the constitution and law generally provide for and respect this right. However, there were instances of concern, such as the June arrest and detention of a lawyer by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Criminal Investigation Department on allegations of cyberstalking the president and the bar association leader, following a tweet questioning their legitimacy.
Local NGOs protested this arrest, citing concerns about its impact on freedom of expression, and the lawyer was subsequently released on bail. In February, the SLP also arrested the editor of the “Night Watch Newspaper” after the publication of a controversial article; the editor was released from police custody within a week.