Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act, 2004
The Act establishing the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the national human-rights institution.
Summary
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act, 2004 established the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) as the country's national human-rights institution. Its creation was one of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission following the civil war.
The Act provides for the independence, composition and appointment of the Commission, and confers functions to promote and protect human rights — including investigating human-rights violations, receiving and resolving complaints, monitoring compliance, conducting public education, and advising the Government on human-rights matters. It gives the Commission powers akin to those of a court for its investigations and provides for reporting to Parliament.
It is intended to meet the international standards for national human-rights institutions (the Paris Principles).
Main provisions
- Establishes the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone as an independent body.
- Provides for its composition, appointment and independence.
- Empowers it to investigate human-rights violations and resolve complaints.
- Provides for human-rights monitoring, education and advice to Government.
- Confers investigative powers and provides for reporting to Parliament.
- Reflects the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.