UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REASSURES SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT

A delegation from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) West Africa Regional Office (WARO), led by Ayeda Robert Kotchani, who also serves as Regional Representative, on Wednesday, 10th June 2026 paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, at his office in Parliament in Freetown.

During the meeting, the OHCHR Regional Representative expressed keen interest in cooperating with Parliament and working with the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee. He emphasized collaboration and reassured the Speaker of OHCHR’s commitment to supporting capacity building for Parliament and providing key documentation on human rights matters. He also commended Parliament for its efforts in addressing human rights issues.

In his response, Rt. Hon. Speaker Thomas outlined Parliament’s primary responsibilities and reaffirmed that sensitive human rights issues are addressed in lawmaking under his supervision, referencing relevant Acts, protocols, and agreements. He stated, “As somebody with a legal background, I have made Parliament extremely sensitive to human rights issues,” and noted that he ensures human rights considerations are addressed before the passage of Bills.

The Speaker disclosed plans to review the National Human Rights Commission Act to make it more responsive. He added that Parliamentary Committees are currently intervening in several human rights conflicts and resolving them amicably. He requested increased capacity building for Members of Parliament, describing human rights as cross-cutting issues. “We created a situation where the citizenry knows that if you want quick settlement of some of the critical matters, all you need to do is to write a letter of complaint to the relevant Parliamentary Committee,” he stated.

The head of delegation expressed OHCHR’s interest in working with Parliament’s Human Rights Committee to provide technical support and pledged to share relevant human rights documents with Parliament.

The Regional Representative further appealed to the Speaker to support a standing invitation through Sierra Leone’s Permanent UN Representative in Geneva for UN Human Rights Special Procedure Mandate Holders to visit the country. He commended the Speaker for the recent ratification of the Death Penalty Abolition Protocol. The delegation also lauded Sierra Leone for its National Human Rights Commission holding ‘A’ Status and encouraged the Speaker to support the Commission through adequate budgetary allocation. Also in attendance was the UPR Regional Advisor – West Africa, WARO, OHCHR, Mrs. Kane Yaye BA, who appealed for implementation of UPR recommendations through engagement of Members of Parliament for capacity building and oversight.