By Septimus Senessie in Kono
Members of the civil society network in Kono and relatives of two people killed during last December’s industrial action by mineworkers of OCTEA Diamond Mining Company have expressed disappointment with the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL). They say the commission has refused to make public the findings of the killings of the two people who a pathologist now says died of gunshot wounds. They were a 14 year old boy and a commercial motor bike rider who where both shot dead by police. The mother of the 14-year-old, Alimamy Komba told Politico, in between sobs by the graveside, that officials of the HRCSL went to them some 6 months ago to gather firsthand information about the death of her son. Sia Mariama Lamin said, “we were very much assured by the commission that the findings were meant to help us bring to book those who killed my son”, adding that since then they had not heard from them. She said her son was no less a Sierra Leonean to have been killed without remorse let alone justice. The manager of International Education End Recourse Network (IEARN) Sierra Leone, told Politico that his organisation was “grossly disappointed with Human Rights Commission”. Paul Komba Pessima said that “during the riot we took so many risks amidst sporadic gunfire to gather facts which we made available to the commission so they would credible information to be able to pursue the matter.’’ He said they had not received any word from or seen any action taken by the commission since. Pessima pointed out that it looked like the commission wanted to “down play” the reports considering the length of time and compared it to a similar issue at Bumbuna last year involving the iron ore miner African Minerals which he said took the commission just weeks before releasing a report. He warned the commission against being influenced by the mining company or government, especially because, he went on, he made several attempts to talk to the HRCSL on the matter but had allegedly been ignored. Author Kargbo, Executive Secretary for the Kono District civil society Network threatened that they would start organizing public forums on the delay by the commission to release their findings. Responding to the concerns, a Human Rights Commissioner, Jamesina King said that their mandate in Kono was different to Bumbuna. She said Bumbuna was a public hearing while Kono was a fact-finding mission. Asked why Kono did not also qualify for a public hearing in view of the repeat incidents of fatal clashes between police and mine workers, she said the commission was facing big challenges with resources and manpower and could not afford that. She said that since their return from the fact-finding, they had written to the Attorney General requesting an investigation into the killings in Kono and bringing to justice those responsible for them. Mrs King said they had also raised the issue with the Inspector General of Police since a police officer is alleged to have killed the people. She assured that they were not yet done with the matter and would follow it through. Just last week, pathologist Dr Owizz Koroma confirmed that the two people died of gunshot wounds. © Politico 11/07/13
