By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL) has launched two projects that seek to support electoral justice, security and accountability for human rights violations and electoral offences committed during elections.
The projects which were launched at the institution’s Freetown office on the 7th February are being funded by the Government of Ireland and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).
In his address, the Executive Director of CARL, Ibrahim Tommy said the projects will advance efforts toward a peaceful and accountable electoral process in Sierra Leone. He said they will also support speedy and fair resolution of election-related complaints, ensure accountability for human rights violations during the electoral process, and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and alternative electoral dispute resolution bodies.
“When laws regulating public elections are deemed to have been breached or violated, it is critically important that those charged with the responsibility of enforcing and/or interpreting the law do so with fairness, professionalism and reasonable speed. That’s the only way we can reduce violence in elections and enhance public trust in the process,” he said.
Tommy said the two projects will provide an opportunity for effective collaboration between CARL, its partners and state actors to address any subsequent issue.
Tommy went on to say that the Irish Aid is also funding a broader project coordinated by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) which he said will support the documentation of electoral complaints, and speedy resolution of such complaints by the courts and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. He added that CARL will also raise awareness about electoral laws and processes, and undertake advocacy for the protection of civic space, including the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.
He explained that OSIWA’s funding will support the implementation and promotion of a safe and peaceful electoral process through an accountable security sector. He said as part of that project, CARL will document and produce reports on incidents of police brutality and politically-motivated violence, monitor proceedings before accountability mechanisms relating to incidents of police brutality, undertake advocacy for increased funding to oversight and law enforcement institutions, and contribute to empowering the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
CARL’s Executive Director recalled a recent report they published on the administration of electoral justice which he said concluded that elections in Sierra Leone are often characterized by incidents of politically-motivated violence, inadequate and highhanded response by law enforcement officers, and delays in addressing electoral complaints and holding perpetrators to account.
He reaffirmed that the projects will build on the gains made over the past two years as part of the Irish Aid funded projects implemented by CARL, IGR and the Office of National Security.
The Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law is an independent organization working towards a just society for all persons in Sierra Leone, through monitoring, advocacy for institutional transparency, capacity building and empowerment of citizens.
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