10 Gallant Youth Still Missing
By Aruna Turay
Ten gallant youth, who were caught in the August 2020 ‘generator riot’ between police and youth of Makeni that claimed the lives of at least four people including a teenager and wounded several others, are yet to be seen, one year down the line.
This is according to Honourable Catherine Zainab Tarawalie, Member of Parliament representing Constituency 37. She was speaking at the official launch of the ‘Study on Police Response to Protests Bombali Human Rights Committee Report’ over the weekend in Makeni.
According to her, family members and friends are still searching for the ten youths who she said disappeared since the day for the riot last year, with little or no idea as to whether they were killed in the riot and might have been dumped at some unknown place or something else.
The MP explained the constraints they as Members of Parliament went through to secure the release of the other thirteen youths that were arrested by police and detained.
She confirmed that all thirteen youths have been successfully released from police detention but that only ten of them have been able to reunite with their families after a whole year in detention.
She said of the remaining two youths, one is currently being admitted in Freetown recovering from Tuberculosis (TB), while the other is admitted in Makeni recovering from Stroke, both ailments they contracted while in police detention, she confirmed.
Presenting the Report, Consultant, Valnora A.C Edwin said her mandate as Consultant for the report required an independent study into the incidents that occurred in the various locations referenced above, and provide recommendations as a means of strengthening accountability and citizen’s exercise of rights and responsibilities.
The study she said covered the incidents resulting in the death of citizens in the aforementioned locations. Interviews were conducted with state and non-state actors who were willing and available to participate during the study.
She said interviews were conducted in Makeni, Freetown, Kambia and Tombo and also personal interviews conducted with key stakeholders with the communities including, the security forces, families of victims, local NGOs and human rights groups.
Furthermore, she went on, focus group discussions with youth groups, and community-based organisations were held in Makeni, Kambia and Tombo.
