A/HRC/16/78 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 22 February 2011 Original: English Human Rights Council Sixteenth session Agenda items 2 and 10 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Technical assistance and capacity-building Assistance to Sierra Leone in the field of human rights Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights* Summary Sierra Leone has made progress in building its capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights. The enactment of some crucial laws in the fields of women and children rights has improved the legal framework to protect the rights of vulnerable groups. However, customs and traditions perpetuate harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and discrimination against women. Socio-economic conditions remain extremely challenging. Financial and capacity constraints have limited the ability of the national human rights institutions to comply with their tasks, negatively impacting the administration of justice, and creating room for impunity. The constitutional review process has been delayed and crucial recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including the abolition of the death penalty and amendment of discriminatory legal provisions, have not been implemented. The Reparations Programme has been affected due to gaps in the financial requirements and lack of political will. OHCHR has been involved in Sierra Leone since 1998, as part of successive UN missions, including the current United Nations Integrated Peace-building Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL). The Human Rights Section of UNIPSIL has engaged with the Government in promoting legislation to protect human rights and has supported the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and civil society in their efforts to advance human rights in the country. The Human Rights Section has engaged in training and advocacy activities with a wide range of stakeholders and has continuously monitored the human rights situation and provided advice and technical services to authorities. * GE.11-11076 Late submission.