By Nasratu Kargbo
The Security Sector and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have signed a communiqué agreeing that the sector should ensure swift investigation of cases of online threats and violence of a political nature.
The communiqué was signed in an engagement organized by Fambul Tok International on the 1st of August 2023. The communiqué urges the “Security sector to be proactive and facilitate timely investigation of all reported cases of threat or violence during political events including sub-national and national elections”.
Another recommendation made was for the security sector, CSOs, and the public to ensure the continued active condemnation of threats and violence against election management personnel, including election observers.
Improving capacity was one of the areas highlighted, and for the security sector to facilitate public information and education during electoral on the roles of election observers in support of credible polls. It was also stated that CSOs should be capacitated on cyber legislation, cyber threats, and the handling of misinformation.
“Ensure full application of policies that prevent security sector actors who openly participate in politics, especially during the electoral period” a part of the communiqué reads. According to the document, the security sector should consider the establishment of public complaint centres across the country and ensure adequate mechanisms are in place for witness protection.
It explained that political tolerance should be manifested by state authorities, accept feedback and respect the views expressed by CSOs on security and national issues.
The Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu during the event called on all to pay attention to threats made even on social media, stating that some of those threats can be executed.
“I want to assure you, when you face such a threat do not hesitate to report it at CID headquarters or any police station”, he went on. He however noted that it takes time to get to the perpetrator due to their crafty nature of using different unregistered Sims, amongst others.
He explained that they can track invectives and insulting messages even if they’ve been deleted three months after the complaint was made. He said the government invested hugely in ensuring the lab is top-notch and increasing the SLP’s capacity to investigate and charge these perpetrators.
The dialogue was convened by Fambul Tok International for CSOs and the security sector in a bid to address concerns around the actions of political parties, police, elections observers, and rights-based groups.
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