The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has received fifteen (15) brand new laptops from the Irish Aid/United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of the ongoing support to the Commission.
In her statement, Chairperson of the Commission, Patricia NarsuNdanema expressed gratitude to Irish Aid/UNDP for their continued support to HRCSL. She recalled that in 2020 when HRCSL conducted a reassessment of its logistics base, the absence of laptops was identified as a serious constraint. She added that the Commission was excited that UNDP and Irish Aid responded positively to their call. She concluded by stating that the laptops were timely and will be distributed to persons in dire need to facilitate the work of the Commission.
UNDP Team Lead for Governance, KadieJumu said, “The UNDP is here to serve and will support the work of the Commission in whatever way we can for the protection and promotion of human rights”.
On behalf of the top management at UNDP, she said they are ready to ensure that their plans for 2021 are implemented and look forward to delivery on the part of the Commission.
In another development, the HRCSL with funds from UNDP and Irish Aid has continued its human rights outreach campaign to schools by conducting training for School Human Rights Club Members and Coordinators at the Sierra Leone Peace Museum, New England, Freetown.
Ten schools were targeted in Freetown and they include; Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Senior Secondary School, The Annie Walsh Memorial School, Freetown Secondary School for Girls, John F. Kennedy International Academy, W.A.M. Collegiate School; Prince of Wales; Government Rokel Secondary School; International School Ltd Secondary; AkiboBett Junior Secondary School and Albert Academy.
In his statement the Vice Chairman of HRCSL Victor I. Lansana welcomed participants from the various schools and spoke about the rationale behind the establishment of the Commission. He encouraged them to pay heed to all what they will learn about human rights and endeavor to be ambassadors of human rights in their schools, communities and homes.
He stated that even though the government and the Commission has the primary role to protect and promote human rights of all, “it is also the responsibility of citizens to actually put hands on deck to be able to do the same.”
The pupils were presented with a copy of the Commission’s Guidelines for Human Rights and Peace Clubs in Secondary School in Sierra Leone which will support their engagements.
The training of Human Rights Club Members and Coordinators will continue in Port Loko, Koinadugu and Kono districts.
