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Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Sierra Leone (RATIFICATION: 1961)

The Committee notes with regret that no report has been received from the Government for the sixth year in succession. It must therefore repeat its previous observation on the following matters:

In its earlier comments the Committee requested the Government to supply indications on the evolution of the political situation, in so far as it relates to the application of the Convention. It noted that the Constitution adopted in 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) which provided for the recognition and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms, had been suspended. The Government informed the Committee in its latest report (1995) that public meetings of a political nature remained banned and that new guidelines for publications had been introduced.

The Committee noted that in July 1996 the Constitutional Reinstatement Provisions Act reinstated the suspended parts of the 1991 Constitution. It further noted the change of government in May 1997 and hoped that the Government would supply information on the developments of the political situation in the country, in so far as the application of the Convention is concerned, and in particular, information on the application of provisions concerning the freedom of speech and press, freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The Committee also asked the Government to provide, in its next report, the information requested in its previous observation on the application in practice of sections 24, 32 and 33 of the Public Order Act (concerning public meetings, the publication of false news and seditious offences). Please also provide particulars of the outcome of work of the Constitutional Review Committee, to which the Government referred in its 1995 report.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.