A/HRC/4/96
page 15
D. Technical cooperation and advocacy
44.
Under the comprehensive programme of assistance to Sierra Leone of OHCHR,
UNIOSIL Human Rights and Rule of Law Section, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone
Library Board (SLLB), established human rights and law reference libraries in Bo, Makeni and
Kenema. Bo and Kenema libraries are now completed and ready for use. The beneficiaries are
not only human rights groups but also legal practitioners, students and the general public.
E. The National Human Rights Commission
45.
On 11 December 2006, the Government appointed the members of the Human Rights
Commission. Established by Act of Parliament in 2004, the Human Rights Commission of
Sierra Leone (HRCSL) is mandated to receive and to act on complaints for human rights
violations; to monitor, to investigate, to document and to report on the human rights situation;
and to promote awareness of human rights through information and education. It also has the
mandate to oversee compliance with treaty obligations, to promote conformity of national laws
and practices with international standards. The HRCSL has also been designated as the
“Follow-up Committee” to facilitate and to monitor the implementation of the TRC
recommendations.
46.
OHCHR Office in Geneva had earlier responded to a request for support from the
Government by contracting a consultant who traveled to Sierra Leone on two occasions and
provided advisory services with a view to the establishment of the Commission. With the full
establishment of the HRCSL, its urgent task, among others, is to formulate a national plan of
action for the promotion and protection of human rights; OHCHR will continue to provide
support to the HRCSL in this regard.
47.
The Commission is still in its inception phase; it has to develop minimum operational
modalities and to arrange for logistics and other basic needs, and the Commissioners also require
training. The beginning is crucial for the future and credibility of the Commission and,
therefore, it needs the full support and a strong commitment from the Government and the
international community in this context. OHCHR welcomes the initiatives of the Government to
identify support to the Commission as a priority area in the context of the Peacebuilding
Commission.
F. The Peacebuilding Commission
48.
Sierra Leone has been selected as one of the first countries to benefit from the newly
established Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). The Government, in collaboration with the
United Nations, identified four priority areas for support: (a) youth empowerment and
employment; (b) strengthening governance; (c) justice and security sector reform; and
(d) capacity-building and public service delivery. These priority areas were presented by the
Vice-President of Sierra Leone in New York and approved by the PBC. Subsequently, concept
notes covering the four priority areas were developed and submitted to PBC for approval in
order to trigger the release of the country envelope.
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