ATTORNEY GENERAL, UN HUMAN RIGHTS REVIEW PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS IN S/LEONE

Guma Building, Lamina Sankoh Street, Freetown, Thursday, 11 June 2026 — Sierra Leone's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., on Thursday hosted a delegation from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) West Africa Regional Office (WARO) for discussions on the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen human rights protections and expand access to justice.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to assess progress made in advancing human rights through legal and institutional reforms, while also identifying areas that require further attention and support.

During the discussions, Attorney General Alpha Sesay highlighted key reforms undertaken by the Government of Sierra Leone with a strong human rights focus. These include measures to decriminalise poverty, improve access to justice for vulnerable populations, and strengthen the effectiveness of institutions responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. Attention was given to the work of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the ongoing constitutional review process, and a range of legislative reforms aimed at deepening democratic governance, upholding fundamental freedoms, and enhancing the protection of citizens' rights.

The Attorney General emphasised that the constitutional review process presents a critical opportunity to further entrench human rights principles within Sierra Leone's legal and governance framework, ensuring that the country's laws continue to reflect international best practices and evolving societal needs. The meeting also examined challenges that persist within the justice and human rights sectors, including resource constraints and the need for sustained institutional capacity building. Both parties explored opportunities for enhanced collaboration to address these challenges and consolidate the gains already achieved.

Alpha Sesay acknowledged the longstanding support provided by the OHCHR and other United Nations agencies, describing them as reliable partners in Sierra Leone's human rights journey. "The OHCHR and other UN agencies have been dependable partners in our efforts to advance human rights and strengthen justice sector reforms. We remain committed to deepening these partnerships as we seek to scale up the investments and progress already made," he noted. The engagement underscores Sierra Leone's continued commitment to promoting human rights, strengthening the rule of law, and fostering strategic partnerships with international institutions to support sustainable democratic and governance reforms.