United Nations Sets Date to Review Sierra Leone’s Human Rights Record

The human rights record of Sierra Leone will be examined by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth time on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, from 09:00 to 12:30 (GMT+2) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The review is based on three core documents: Sierra Leone’s national report on human rights developments; reports from independent human rights experts, treaty bodies, and other UN entities; and submissions from stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.

According to the submission, while Sierra Leone has made notable progress in expanding access to education and reducing maternal mortality—which fell from over 1,100 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013 to an estimated 354 in 2023—significant challenges remain. The country’s maternal mortality rate remains five times higher than the Sustainable Development Goal target, and adolescent pregnancy remains widespread.