A/HRC/16/78 23. Access to the formal justice system is limited, especially in rural areas where a large part of the population resorts to Sierra Leone’s 302 local courts and the traditional justice system. Local courts apply customary law and operate under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Local Government. Currently, there are only 3 customary law officers charged with reviewing all local court decisions to ensure that there have been no errors in law or miscarriages of justice. This situation is made even more serious by the inadequate infrastructure, such as a shortage of court houses, dilapidated court premises, and the absence of a court database system to ensure vital case tracking. 24. Local court staff are also in crucial need of ongoing training. The independence of local court chairpersons to decide matters put before them impartially – without restriction, improper influence, inducements or pressure – has been questioned as the lack of tenure security is perceived as affecting decision making. There are also concerns that paramount chiefs, tribal heads and other traditional leaders continue to adjudicate in courts which do not meet the basic principles on independence of the judiciary nor observe due process guarantees. In addition, customary laws discriminate against women and undermine their general empowerment and access to justice, especially in rural communities. The codification of laws used by local courts, as well as their jurisdiction needs to be addressed and determined. 25. In the area of juvenile justice, challenges remain despite the enactment of the Child Rights Act (2007). There is only one Juvenile Court in the country, which is based in Freetown. In the whole country, there are just two remand homes and one approved school.1 Juveniles frequently share prison cells with adults. 5. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion 26. A high level of religious tolerance has been enjoyed at the national level between Muslims, who constitute about 55 per cent of the population, and Christians. Christian and Muslim leaders meet regularly as an Inter-religious Council and use this forum for promoting religious tolerance and peace. Official meetings and events normally commence by a recital of Muslim and Christian prayers. 6. Human rights defenders and freedom of expression 27. There have been a number of incidents in which human rights defenders have been intimidated and harassed. The Chairs of the District Human Rights Committees in a number of districts were targeted. One chairman was detained by the Police and threatened with prosecution for treason for leading a peaceful protest in front of the President’s residence to draw the President’s attention to the increasing number of incidents of sexual and genderbased violence in the district. Another municipality banned the Chairman of the District Human Rights Committee from holding any public office in the district, because his practice of consistently raising human rights issues was not welcome. A Paramount Chief was reported to have humiliated and intimidated a human rights defender for sensitizing residents against forced labour, which the Chief was allegedly imposing on youths in his chiefdom. 28. Citizens of Sierra Leone generally enjoy the right of freedom of expression and information. Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation, an independent broadcasting body, was officially launched by the Secretary-General in June 2010. In September 2010, the 1 Remand homes are facilities that accommodate juveniles on trial. If convicted, juveniles serve their sentence in approved schools.. 7