A/HRC/16/78 establishment of two new independent radio stations contributed to increased access to information. 29. Restrictions resulting from the application of a Seditious Libel Law (1965) limit the full enjoyment of the rights of freedom of expression and information. The seditious or criminal libel offence is widely used to intimidate journalists by taking them to court, even though magistrates have, in the past, mostly dismissed such cases. In February 2010, a journalist was acquitted of six counts of criminal libel and awarded compensation by the magistrate, while in another district, the court dismissed a case involving the editor of Awareness Times who had been charged with committing seditious libel against the President of the country. 30. There have also been instances whereby journalists have suffered other forms of intimidation. In May 2010, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) alleged that he had received a death threat as a result of a report which he had sent to the British Broadcasting Corporation about the former Minister of Marine Resources, who was standing trial for corruption-related offences. In December 2010, four journalists were arrested in Freetown, allegedly on the instruction of the Minister of Land. The journalists claimed that they had been investigating a case of fraud involving the Ministry. They were later released on bail. 31. The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists led the advocacy for the enactment of a Freedom of Information bill. At the time of writing this report, the bill had been approved by the Cabinet, discussed in Parliament, and was currently at the Legislative Committee for further consideration. If adopted, Sierra Leone will be the second West African country to have a freedom of information law, which will enhance accountability and transparency among public officials. 7. Right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association 32. An active multi-party democracy has evolved since the end of the civil war, evidenced by two rounds of largely free, fair and credible elections for President, Parliament and Local Councils, with high voter turnout. A policy of political decentralization with direct elections of local councils and ward representatives, combined with devolution of public service delivery, is a welcome development. 33. However political tension, in particular between the governing All Peoples’ Congress (APC) and the major opposition party, Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party (SLPP), has broken out on several occasions and the relationship between the two major political parties could intensify especially as the 2012 elections approach. Incidents of political violence, as witnessed during the local council by-election in Kenema in February 2010, and the parliamentary by-elections in Pujehun in May 2010, underscored the fragility of the situation. In late November/early December 2010, the run up to the by-elections in Kono District was marked by some worrying incidents, including supporters from each party throwing stones and human faeces at each other, beatings and damage to property. Allegations of voter intimidation in a few chiefdoms have also been reported. Despite these incidents, the elections were peaceful, free and fair, although they highlighted the need to enhance voter education, ensure cancelation of invalid votes. and ensure the full enjoyment of the right to vote. 34. Paramount Chieftaincy elections in 2010 were also surrounded by some tension, and pre- and post-election violence has had a negative impact on the right to property, physical integrity and security of the person. Violence erupted in one election following allegations that a supporter of one of the candidates was bribing tribal authorities to influence their votes. 8