ISSUE 6 VOLUME 1 YEAR The UN Team and the CRC Leadership

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1 ISSUE 6 VOLUME 1 YEAR 2014 Sierra Leone ConstitutionalMonthly Review Vestibulum semper enim non eros. Newsletter Sed vitae arcu. Aliquam erat volutpat. June 2014 Praesent odio nisl, suscipit at, rhoncus sit amet, porttitor sit amet, leo. Aenean hendrerit CRC meets est. UN Etiam visiting ac augue. team Morbi tincidunt neque ut lacus. Duis Political Parties throw their weight vulputate cursus orci. Mauris justo lorem, behind scelerisque Constitutional sit amet, Review placerat Process sed, condimentum in, leo. Donec urna est, Hope semper for the quis, youths auctor of eget, Sierra ultrices Leone in, purus. Etiam rutrum. Aliquam blandit Capturing dui a women s libero. voices Praesent for Sierra tortor tortor, Leone s bibendum Constitutional vehicula, Review accumsan sed, adipiscing a, pede. Nullam et tortor. CGG Suspendisse to conduct civic tempor education leo on quisthe nunc fringilla volutpat. Donec rutrum Constitutional Review Process ullamcorper lorem. Nunc tincidunt sagittis Paramount augue. Chiefs Quisque develop position lacinia. Phasellus sollicitudin. paper Mauris WANEP purus. involves Donec the est Citizens nunc, ornare of non, aliquet non, tempus vel, dolor. Kambia in Road Show and Public Integer sapien nibh, egestas ut, cursus sit Consultations amet, faucibus on the Constitutional a, sapien. Vestibulum purus purus, elementum Review Process ac, luctus ullamcorper, ornare vitae, massa. Citizens Nullam Conference posuere on Land sem and the ut mauris. Nullam velit. Quisque sodales. Constitution urges for a resolve of Donec suscipit suscipit erat. Nam blandit. disturbing Praesent incidences congue of lorem non dolor. Maecenas vitae erat. Ut ac environmental degradation in purus vel purus dapibus gravida. communities. Nullam lorem sapien, tempus ac, Braille version of the 1991 fringilla at, elementum sed, purus. Duis molestie Constitution pede. and Vivamus 2008 Peter quis odio Tucker sit amet libero sodales tincidunt. Nam sit Report amet metus vitae lectus ullamcorper dignissim. Suspendisse leo. Praesent turpis justo, aliquet ac, accumsan vel, posuere quis, pede. Morbi pretium lacus. Cras non metus. Donec laoreet sem at elit. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis The UN Team and the CRC Leadership The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) Secretariat on Tuesday met with a visiting team from the UN Headquarter in New York to assess progress made so far with the review process and for their intervention where there were challenges in the execution of the process. The team included the Assistant Secretary General of UN, Jordan Ryan; UNDP Country Director-Sudipto Mukerjee and the Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, David Mclachlan-Karr. Jordan Ryan said the CRC has an important task of building the peace and strengthening the democracy of the country. He added, Our work is to work with you (the Committee) and find ways to support the government and people of Sierra Leone. The Assistant Secretary General said they were excited to join the work of the Committee. We are supporting the process because we want the constitution that will reflect the true aspirations of Sierra Leoneans, reiterated the Resident Coordinator, David Mclachlan-Karr. He noted that most often than not, Constitutional Reviews were done by few elites in the urban areas whilst marginalized communities and individuals like youths, women and the disabled were suppressed. David Mclachlan-Karr reiterated his great excitement to work with the Committee, looking forward to work with the Secretariat to make sure the review process becomes a reality. Continue on Page 2 Miatta Conference Centre was busier than usual that morning. Throngs of politicians had gathered to throw their weight behind the constitutional review process, a process that would hopefully produce a democratic constitution that holistically reflects the will of the people. The seriousness of the engagement was displayed by the presence of National Executives of all the 10 political parties in the country, even if some left before the conclusion of the programmme. Political Parties making their declarations The UNDP couldn t have collaborated with better institutions than the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) and the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), at least for that programme. Everything but the absence of the country s first two gentlemen made the engagement a spectacular one. The brilliant speeches, excellent inter-personal interactions, and timely theme, the role of political parties in a democratic society, epitomized best practice in a political setting. In his remarks to the 200 politically charged participants, PPRC Chairman, Hon. Justice M. E. Tolla Thompson stated that the presence of the leaders of the respective political parties was a significant and ample demonstration of the importance attached to the Constitutional Review Process. Continue on Page 2 CRC Newsletter - June

2 He said over the years, the Commission had engaged in so many activities, the resultant effects is that the country now exudes an aura of self-confidence to the extent that they could now contemplate the review of the Constitution which would enhance the country s nascent democracy. In pursuance of the mandate of the Commission, the Chairman underscored that the Commission had been engaging Political Parties on a plethora of issues. He emphatically stated that, the Political Parties were High Table at the Conference cooperating with the Commission; and their members and supporters were now less prone to violence and intolerance. He said they were more inclined to addressing issues of discrimination, development, nationalism and Constitutionalism. Hon. Justice Tolla-Thompson warned members of the political parties to refrain from going about with callousness and blind indifference to the outcome. Political Parties he emphasized must endeavor to give off their best and not give way to pessimism and unbelief. Finally, he noted that when the success of the Review Process would be spoken of, the immense contributions of Political Parties would not go unnoticed. Speaking at the Conference, the newly appointed Resident Representative of the United Nations David McLachlan-Karr, reiterated the symbolic nature of peace for all political parties, and expressed optimism that a new national constitution would be a representation of the views of the people. He intimated that Sierra Leone has a proud history of religious tolerance and encouraged all to remain tolerant even in the CRC process. He maintained that the people should determine the outcome of the process. The ten registered political parties presented their position papers on the Constitutional Review Process, followed by public declaration of their continued support to the process. In his brief statement, Chairman of the Committee, Justice Edmond Cowan highlighted the gains made so far by the Committee which included the distribution of the Combined Constitution and Peter Tucker Report, the procurement of vehicles, the hosting of a website, the on-going civic education and stakeholder consultations. Assistant Secretary General of UN, Jordan Ryan, Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, David Mclachlan-Karr and UNDP Country Director Sudipto Mukerjee meeting CRC Chairman and Members at CRC Secretariat. He said they have set up nine sub-committees covering thematic areas looking at different sectors in the country, ranging from the executive, legislature, judiciary, natural resources among others. Justice Cowan stated that the just concluded meetings they held in the provinces with youths were fruitful as issues affecting them were taken into consideration. UNDP Sierra Leone Resident Coordinator David Mclachlan-Karr addressing the Conference If the presence of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Franklyn Bai Kargbo does not reflect Government s commitment to the review process, his proclamation of the endorsement of Nine Billion and Four Hundred Million Leones does. The recommendations of the Lome Peace Accord and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report gained recognition when in 2007, the Government established the Commission to Review the Constitution (Peter Tucker Commission), a Commission whose report the CRC is now using as a working document. Whilst assuring that Government would not interfere with the process, Frank Kargbo pledged government s commitment in accepting recommendations. The position papers highlighted concerns raised by each political party and recommendations. National Chairmen and Secretary Generals of the ten (10) registered political parties publicly pronounced their dedication and commitment to the Constitutional Review Process. The Chairpersons of the 9 Sub-committees briefed the gathering about their functions, mandate and expectations from political parties. Cross section of the participants at the conference Continue on Page 3 The Chairman called on UNDP to stand by them to achieve their goals, assuring them that the Secretariat is ready to partner with UNDP as they review a Constitution that would be people-friendly. Giving a brief update, Secretary to the CRC, Samuel Coker said they have been doing public education to elicit inputs from different facets of society into the process. He said they need continuous support from the UNDP to move the process forward. Chairmen of different sub-committees highlighted some of the strides they have made and the challenges they were facing especially with funding to move the process forward. The UN Team and CRC Secretariat and Committee Members CRC Newsletter - June

3 Key among the issues raised by the political parties during their presentation were as follows: All Peoples Congress (APC) - National Secretary General: Ambassador Osman Yansaneh, The All People s Congress (APC) holds the view that the citizens should suggest possible areas of reform to the CRC. The APC party has committed their full support to the process thereby providing financial and logistical support to the CRC. The party views the sensitization process as an effective measure in disseminating the Constitutional Review process to the populace and called on all to put hands on deck to support the review process. Citizens Democratic Party (CDP): Gibril Thullah-National Secretary General Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) recommended the inclusion of women and youth in the governance structure. National Democratic Alliance (NDA): - Acting National Secretary General- Abdulai Barrie The National Democratic Alliance Party (NDA) recommended that the age requirement for Presidential candidate be reduced from 40 years to 35 years. The Party also recommended that the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice be separated to enhance Administrative and Juridical pro-activeness. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): -National Chairman- Dr. Patrick Coker People s Democratic Party (PDP) recommended that Sections 34 (b); 34 (3) be expunged from the Constitution. The party also recommended that the constitution should make provision for improve economic and social life style of the citizens. Peoples Movement Democratic Change (PMDC): Dora Bangura There is hope in the future of youths in this country, therefore they must work hard. These were the words of the UNDP Country Director Sudipto Mukerjee to ambitious young men and women who were gathered at the Atlantic Hall of National Stadium on June 25 and 26, 2014 to consolidate their position on the review of Sierra Leone s constitution. Whilst lauding the efforts of youths, Mr Mukerjee expressed dismay over the dismal participation of youths in constitutional review processes in less developed countries. Like the other three regions where the UNDP supported the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM) to engage them, youths in the Western Area critically dilated on issues that were depriving them from enjoying the fruits of good governance, even if some of their demands seemed unattainable. Government s commitment to the advancement of youths is unquestionable as evident in the ongoing establishment of a national youth village, a representative of the Ministry of Youths adds. People s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) recommended that the dates for Presidential and Parliamentary elections be included in the Constitution as an entrenched clause. The PMDC is in favor of sections 76 (1) that limit the term of the Presidency to a term not more than two of five years each. Peoples Liberation Party (PLP): National Chairman- Dr. Baba Kandeh, The Peace and Liberation Party (PLP) recommended free and adequate medical facilities for all persons within the state. Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP): Acting National Secretary General- Raymond Kartewu, The Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP) called on the government of Sierra Leone to implement Article III Sections IV Sub-Section 1, 2 & 3 of the Lome Peace Accord. Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP): National Secretary General- Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie, The Sierra Leone People s Party (SLPP) recommended that Sections 32 (3) be amended. The party supports the deletion of the existing proviso to section 34(4) of the 1991 Constitution which is now irrelevant. Continue on Page 4 High Table at the Conference In his Presentation on Youth Engagement in Constitutional review Best Practices, the Chief Technical Adviser to the Sierra Leone Constitutional Review Process, Sanaullah Baloch highlighted some attributes of bad and good practices stressing that in Egypt the process was bad: youths and children s rights were conspicuously excluded coupled with the undemocratic nature of the referendum which were manned by military personnel whilst citing Kenya as an epitome of best practice in constitutional development. Continue on Page 4 CRC Newsletter - June

4 local content policy, the payment of tax by the president, the provision of state farms to create an avenue for prisoners to work, the appointment of judges to be done by independent judges, among others. Prior to the Western Area Youths Engagement, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sierra Leone and National immediately after the announcement of election results as provided for in the extant constitution. The abolition of the death penalty and inclusion of the National Youth Commission Act No. 11 of 2009 into the constitution to protect its establishment. Meanwhile, participants with disability also requested inclusion of the Disability Rights Act into the constitution to enhance the implementation of provisions in the Act and also protect disable females from Sexual and Gender Based Violence from their spouses or partners. If the unprecedented exuberance in activism displayed by female youths during the proceedings did not signal the dawn of women s preparedness for governance, their impressive turn-out does. The closing remarks were made by the Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), Justice Edmond Cowan who conveyed an overwhelming excitement with the overall turn-out and participation of youths in Bo, The youths, with renewed enthusiasm to regain their lost opportunities, recommended a barrage of changes that they desire in the revised constitution. From the Executive to local government; human rights to natural resources, the youths are desirous to see an overhaul of the socio-economic, political and cultural systems. Prominent among their demands is the reduction of the age qualifications to contest the presidency from 40 to 35 years in addition to allowing independent candidates to contest the presidency. A rather bizarre recommendation was that the great grand-parents of Presidential aspirants must be Sierra Leoneans. They asked the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) to separate the office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the legislation of the Group photo - Makeni Town Youth Commission (NAYCOM) completed a similar exercise in Bo, Kenema and Makeni from 9th - 14th June Issues discussed in the provinces included but not limited to the following: Youth Engagement in Constitutional Review Process - Best Practices; the Constitutional Amendments, youths perspective; Affirmative action for youth democratic processes;securing youth participation in the constitutional review process and fulfilling constitutional objectives that promote increased investments in the development of young people. Key recommendations by the young people were: the President must not be sworn in Group photo - Bo District Freetown, Kenema and Makeni. Whilst reiterating the importance of youths in the development agenda, he implored them to not only show unrivalled commitment in ensuring that their voices were heard but also be objective in presenting their aspirations. Chairman Cowan ended by making a humble plea to participants to dispassionately share the lessons learnt to their various communities, organizations and Universities. The party supports the Commission s repeal of the amendment Act No. 15 of 2002 to section 38 of the 1991 Constitution. United National Peoples Party (UNPP): Political Parties Representatives The United National People s Party (UNPP) called for a review of Sections 27(4) paragraph (d) that discriminates against women on matters relating to the Devolution of property on the death of an intestate person, adoption, marriage divorce etc. The party also called for the review of Sections 135 (I) and a repeal of Sections 156 (I) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. Group photo - Kenema District Participants expressed satisfaction noting that the CRC should treat their issues with sincerity since they were the direct beneficiaries of the reviewed constitution. United Democratic Movement (UDM): National Chairman - Mohammed Bangura, The United Democratic Movement (UDM) recommended an amendment to Sections 41 and 42 of the 1991 Constitution. The party also recommended that Section 46(1) be reviewed; that is, the tenure of the President should be extended to seven years instead of five years but not more than two terms of seven (7) years each. The party also recommended a review of Section 54(1) that deals with the office of the Vice President. This section they said should be removed and replaced with a Prime Minister. Group photo - Freetown CRC Newsletter - June

5 Participants at the Conference It eats us up and makes our bodies to become sickly said Baindu Momoh of Tailai Village, Nongowa Chiefdom in the Kenema District, describing the injustices women go through every day in their lives. It is difficult, life is impossible and we are tired. Baindu represents just one of millions of women in the rural areas of Sierra Leone and she was speaking to a team that was carefully set up by living in distinctive rural parts of the Eastern Province for the ongoing Constitutional Review process. There are many other stories like these that UN Women in close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs (MSWGCA) recently captured from a weeklong mission to the remotest parts of the four regions of the country. The discussions were frank, spontaneous, emotional and informal but meticulously planned and executed. The quest for the constitutional review process to be widely participatory, inclusive, transparent and nationally owned has taken centre-stage as the process gradually unfolds. As this happens, the contribution of Civil Society and Non-governmental Organizations (CSOs and NGOs) is becoming more and more indispensable. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in pursuance of output 4 in the Project document civil society led inclusive and informative civic education engagement has been funding CSOs and NGOs throughout the country to undertake this all important process. Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) is one of many organizations being funded by UNDP for such. CGG will be conducting a civic education and public consultation forum on the Constitutional review process. Baindu who is now convalescing from a motorbike accident along the bad roads in the area said she was abandoned by her family, all of her 11 brothers, at the Government Hospital for over three months and they couldn t even send me a penny to help pay my bills or support my children at home. In tears, she recalled how she was withdrawn from school to support the education of her younger brothers who now control the vast plantation and big compound left behind by her late father. And even when I managed to save my own money, they refused to let me build a room in our family compound and the burden of feeding, clothing educating and caring for my children is killing me she added while tears of bitter and involuntary memories rolled down her cheeks as she spoke. Baindu and her children were thrown out of her husband s house when he decided to marry a new wife after a good harvest. I do not have anywhere to complain giving an account of her encounter with the local authorities when she tried to seek divorce and demand support from the now stowaway husband. The Chief, she said, asked her to pay back for everything the husband had done and provided for her including the dowry. It doesn t get better, three months later the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police was unable to locate the husband to continue the payment of scheduled monthly allowances. Baindu feels helpless and says she wants Papa Ernest (referring to the President of the nation) to make laws that will force husbands to take care of their responsibilities; guarantee her access to an equal share of the property and wants micro credit to improve on her vegetable business. The purpose of this exercise was for each expert team facilitating the exercise to inform rural women of Sierra Leone about the constitutional review process, explain to them the contents of the 1991 Constitution and find out what changes the women would like to see in the new Constitution. The teams were made up of Parliamentarians, Legal Experts, MSWGCA policy makers and professional staff, representatives from the Human Rights Commission and the Constitutional Review Committee as well as umbrella Civil Society organizations working on gender equality, access to justice and women empowerment goals. UN Women and the team of Expert Facilitators met with a total of 4,500 women. Like Baindu, their views and aspirations will be collated into a historic Women's Charter that will be handed over to the Constitutional Review Committee and H.E President Ernest Bai Koroma. The consultations with rural women on the constitutional review process were recommended by the women of Sierra Leone during the dissemination of the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) Concluding Remarks and Observations by the CEDAW Committee of Experts on the Sierra Leone 6 th CEDAW Report in May The women realize that the choices that they make in reviewing the constitution will have a direct impact on their lives and that of their children in relation to the future of Gender Equality and Women s empowerment in Sierra Leone. They will be targeting sixteen tribal heads in Freetown, ninety six village heads in the Western Rural area and fifty ward committee members in Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Koinadugu and Bonthe. CGG has a mission to increase citizen s participation in governance through advocacy, capacity building and civic education in order to build a more informed populace and a democratic state. This has significantly informed CGG s engagement with diverse sectors of the society as an informed society can adequately demand for their rights and significantly contribute to national processes of this nature. The project goal is Promoting a people-centered Constitutional Review Process. The tribal heads in the western area are seen as drivers of change in their crucial role as traditional leaders. Additionally, they are sometimes perceived as resistant to change and responsible for a number of discriminatory practices especially against women. Their significance is also centered around their relationship with the local government and decentralization process and the need to regularize their engagement beyond the 1933 Tribal administration Act. A key output of this engagement is the inclusion and active participation of this segment of society in a way that transcends their hitherto role in state governance. CRC Newsletter - June

6 The Executives of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs and the Chiefdom Governance Reform Campaign Team met in Makeni on the 27 th June, 2014 to harmonize a position paper on Chiefdom Governance and Local Government which would be presented to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) for consideration in the review process. The NCPC recognizes that reviewing the constitution was an opportunity of building democracy, good governance and laying the foundations for a sustainable and peaceful future of Sierra Leone. Addressing his colleagues, the Chairman Council of Paramount Chiefs, PC Charles Caulker implore PCs to work very hard for the development of a coordinated effort to present a position paper that comprehensively reflects their wishes and aspirations. In his keynote address to the PCs, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hadiru Kalokoh expressed appreciation to the Chiefdom Governance Reform Team for the creation of an avenue where chiefs and campaigners could find a common ground. The institution of chieftaincy, he said, is not a creation of the central government but a vital structure of chiefdom administration which has been in existence for decades. Mr Kalokoh noted that reforms must only be undertaken based on their relevance to the overall development aspiration of the state whilst stressing that change must be the felt-needs of the people. Based on prior engagement with people, the following were proffered for consideration by the chiefs: The constitution has to make it clear that Paramount Chiefs should be non-political and serve as a building bridge amongst various political parties and not serve as party members. The issue of gross misconduct should be clearly defined in the constitution, as it is too vague and open to lots of interpretations. It could be defined to include: Disrespect to his/her subject/chief/elders/women, embezzlement of chiefdom and government funds, open alignment/support for political parties, human rights violations including sexual abuse. There shall be tenure of office for paramount chiefs, which shall be two terms of 10 years. All discriminatory clauses in the constitution should be expunged especially those referring: Where tradition and customs demand. Only Ruling Houses that existed Participant making her contribution present to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC). Paramount Chiefs at work before 27 th April, 1961 should be maintained The Local Council Elections should be done on non-partisan basis. These issues were sufficiently and fiercely debated to the admiration of all. The Paramount Chiefs would consolidate their position paper to A Growing Interest for Democracy WANEP, in partnership with CRC and UNDP, organized a public civic education road show dubbed as Make Yu Constitution and consultative meeting for the people in the border district of Kambia, north of the country. The purpose was to consult the public on their views on the present constitution as well as to bring together ideas for inclusion in the new constitution. A total of 330 eager citizens participated in the meeting comprising 133 females and 197 males from civil society organizations from around Kambia district, in the Northern Region of Sierra Leone. In that meeting, representatives from different organizations were present such as women s organizations, bike rider associations and school going pupils. The meeting was attended by WANEP staff as well as representatives from the Civil Society Movement, CRC/UNDP, DADA-SL, Kambia District Council including a district officer and a paramount chief. Local comedians opened the event at Water Works with a dialogue about the CR process, inclusiveness and the importance of participation. Mr. Samuel Coker, Executive Secretary, Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) gave a brief background of the CRC and urged the public to join the procession and contribute to the consultative meeting. The message to the public was also translated into themne, one of the local languages. People joining the procession through the streets of Kambia town Continue on Page 7 CRC Newsletter - June

7 Engagement on a Local Level In line with one of WANEPs operating principles that imply local ownership of peacebuilding processes, many of the speakers expressed the need for engagement on a local level. The chairperson, Dr. Nabieu Yillah Hillah informed the participants about the inclusive manner in which the constitutional review was carried out and said the government of Sierra Leone do not want to know which party people belong to, what color you have or which area you are coming from but stated that everybody was welcome to make a contribution. Further, Mr. Kanneh made a recommendation to involve local councils and chiefs for a successful outcome of the review and pleaded to the committee to extend their knowledge to other people in the district. Mr. Foday D. M. Sesay, Executive Director for Democracy and Development Associates- SL (DADA-SL) and WANEP Board Member Kambia District, communicated the importance of, not only national commitment, but engagement on a local level saying that people need total cooperation and support on a district level. He also emphasized the importance of the inclusion of women and asked the review committee to see this as necessity for the constitutional review. District Women s Leader Madam Kadiatu R. Dumbuya emphasized on the participation of women in different areas of decision making. She also talked on free health care and education for the girl child stating that if the girl child was given quality education, she will be able to contribute to the academic development of the country, which meant that they will not be dominated by men on any academic, social or political field. Paramount Chief Alimamy Fabeh Kondogbala II, Gbinle Dixing New Ideas and Approaches to a Democratic Process Issues that emphasized on free health care, free and compulsory primary secondary and tertiary education as well as rights for women, youths and disables were frequently brought up for discussion. Furthermore, Mr. Alfred Lahai, Kambia District Officer, initially addressed the youth saying that they have a responsibility to the people in making Sierra Leone a better place. He gave has opinion why a review of the constitution was needed stating that laws change, situations change and humans change adding that now there are new ideas and approaches to a democratic process. Paramount Chief Alimamy Fabeh Kondogbala II, Gbinle Dixing shared his opinions with the participants and said that most of the provisions in the 1991 constitution are out of date and are not in line with the current trends of the country. A pupil Mafulay S. Conteh, Kolenten Senior Secondary School, posing a question to the high table In the latter part of the meeting, the panel welcomed participants to ask questions. Some issues brought up to the forum were: the independence of the CRC, how they will make sure the contributions made will reflect in the constitution and how the local youth, women and disables will be represented. One of the participants asked the question why should the constitution be reviewed now? Mr. Coker (CRC) provided the answer and said that 12 years ago there was no bike riders, no laws related to drug affairs, the women were denied right to land and to public offices and the issue of rape was not rampant and these are all thing that needed to be addressed. Furthermore, the Constitutional Review was also supported by the Peter Tucker Recommendations and the 2002 Lomé Peace Accord. To further engage community members on the CR-process, more than 300 questionnaires were administered at the meeting and on the streets of Koidu where significant submissions were made. The combined Draft Documents of the 1991 Constitution and Peter Tucker Reports were distributed to the representatives of the various organizations present to make sure that the information about the democratic process continues to spread around the country. where mining and agri-business are located By Ishmael Kindama Dumbuya-Standard Times Newspaper The continuous rush for large scale land acquisition in Sierra Leone is rapidly raising alarm in the country and stakeholders and concern people have realized that they must make their voices heard. A handful of delegates consisting of land owners across the country, lawmakers to name but a few have converged at the Atlantic Hostel of the National Stadium and made a cogent declaration on issues bothering land acquisition, distribution, handling and adaptation in the country. The citizen s conference on land and the constitution which was held for two days in Freetown was organized by Green Scenery, an environmental and land advocacy organization that had fought tirelessly over the years to ensure there is livelihood for communities in the country. The Constitutional Review Committee was set up by the Government of Sierra Leone in 2013 with the aim of reviewing the 1991 constitution and updates it with present demands and gain international best standards and practices. The issues discussed at the conference are expected to be featured at the new constitution in Sierra Leone. The land conference was supported by Welthungerhilfe, Ibis and the German Assistance Agency; BMZ. Read below for an excerpt of the delegates declaration on the 24th June 2014 A DECLARATION OF CITIZENS ASSEMBLED AT THE ATLANTIC CONFERENCE HALL, NATIONAL STADIUM HOSTEL, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE Continue on Page 8 CRC Newsletter - June

8 THE FREETOWN DECLARATION We the citizens of Sierra Leone gathered in a Citizens Conference on land and the constitution at the Atlantic Hall, National Stadium Hostel in the Western Area of Sierra Leone; RECOGNISING that the last 10 ten years in Sierra Leone has experienced a mass influx of various Foreign Direct Investors with the view of acquiring large tracts of arable and forest land for investment in agriculture as well as for mining; NOTING that the increase in number of interested parties is appreciated as an increase in investment has the potential of generating further wealth, creating jobs and therefore overall The Director of Green Scenery Mr. Joseph Rahall explaining to the delegates economic development; WELCOMING Government s initiative to review the constitution, the ongoing review process presently taking place and hoping that the CRC will consider the integration of land issues in their recommendation; CONCERNED that the rising demand for land to undertake foreign direct investment has been accompanied by a disproportionate dividend for rural community dwellers most of whom have been dispossessed of land which has had very negative implications for their livelihood and invariably leading to an infringement of fundamental rights of such people; FURTHER concerned that the final draft land policy document has not been validated by Paramount Chiefs, Chiefdom Council who are the gate keepers of land in the provinces; THEREFORE we the citizens present at this National Conference on Land and the Constitution to deliberate on Land with the view of ensuring that agreed positions are aggregated and articulated for the consideration of the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) as a position of citizens; reflected on and discussed the following critical issues: The safeguarding of issues pertaining to Land in any future new National Constitution for Sierra Leone The draft Land Policy for Sierra Leone The legal framework and Land ownership and access in Sierra Leone The structures for land administration and management in Sierra Leone The identification of suitable mechanism for monitoring land issues in Sierra Leone We resolved that: 1. There is an urgent need to recognise and respect all legitimate tenure right holders and their rights owing to the very little community involvement in land acquisition, which is compounded by the lack of data on available community land, leading to inadequate knowledge within the community of land acquisition and its implications for livelihood and food security; 2. Cap 122 of the laws of Sierra Leone should be reviewed with humane and none discriminatory clauses inserted; 3. The Draft National Land Policy be formally validated with the involvement of land owning communities across the country before submission to Parliament; 4. There are disturbing incidences of continued environmental degradation in communities where mining and agri-business are located, which need to be addressed; 5. There is erosion of socio-cultural practices of affected communities with negative implications for traditional authority and community residents. Mechanisms should be sorted by appropriate government agencies to work with chiefdom councils and communities to address this situation; Continue on Page 9 CRC Newsletter - June

9 6. Framework for land management and tenure rights as it affects women, young people and the physically challenged be strongly articulated and incorporated into the position paper of Paramount Chiefs; 7. The Ministry of Lands, country planning and the environment should review existing structure to incorporate CSOs in the oversight and monitoring of land administration in the country. 8. There should be a national Community entry Protocol which shall be adopted by CSOs and used to guide communities in all future engagements with potential investors seeking land in the communities across the Country. THEREFORE we the citizens from the various Districts and the Western area of Sierra Leone present at this National Conference on Land and the Constitution in order to take forward our resolution agree as follows: I. That Green Scenery work with the nominated Post conference follow up Committee to ensure that all the issues discussed, agreed on as listed in this Communiqué be articulated to the CRC: a. Constitution: { The access to land by all Sierra Leoneans including women and youth; all land related laws to be reviewed and updated every five years in order to remain relevant; consultation and consensus must be attained for all land acquisition in communities across the country} b. Land Policy: {Set harmonised framework for compensation for land owners and land users, improved coordination between and among various land management entities of the State ; there shall be inclusion of women and small scale farmers in the land management at all levels in the country; consideration must be given to reducing land lease agreement to 25 years for large scale investors} c. The laws relating to Land in Sierra Leone: { Land management commission to be established by law to oversee all land acquisition and management with authority to impose penalties on defaulters; establish a special fast track court for land litigation in the country} d. The structures for land administration in Sierra Leone: { Use modern techniques in mapping of all available land in Sierra Leone; District and Chiefdom land committees to be established and made autonomous} e. Monitoring of Land administration in Sierra Leone: { Public disclosures of EIA to be enforced by government; CSOs to be fully incorporated into the national land monitoring mechanism at all levels in the country} 2. II. That the Follow up Committee ensure that mechanism are put in place to facilitate the presentation of this communiqué incorporating our views and resolutions to all the CRC Members visiting each of the districts of the Country 3. III. That the Follow up Committee ensure that periodic national updates are prepared and shared with institutions whose representatives are present at this two day National conference on Land and the Constitution. 4. IV. That the draft Community entry Protocol developed by Green scenery should be finalised as per dictate of the conference for and on behalf of all Participants at this national Conference on Land and the Constitution. Prepared and issued at the Atlantic hall, Freetown, Sierra Leone on 24 th June, Braille Version of the 1991 Constitution and Peter Tucker Report The exclusion of visually impaired persons in the overall national advancement of countries could be traced as far back as the beginning of human existence. This undue discrimination has culminated in a very vulnerable situation for people living with visual impairment. The embossment of the 1991 Constitution and the 2008 Peter Tucker Report could not have been done at a more appropriate time. The hue and cry for the inclusion of persons living with disabilities in the review process has taken centre-stage as the process unfolds gradually. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of the multi-donor support fund to the Sierra Leone Constitutional Review Process funded the Educational Centre for the Blind and Visually Impaired to produce copies of the two documents for the consumption of visually challenged persons. Copies of the documents were presented to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) on Tuesday July 1, Thomas Allieu is the Director of the Centre; he expressed satisfaction about the production stressing that, it would improve the knowledge, skills and attitudes of visually impaired persons whilst simultaneously promoting their involvement in this all important process. Malcolm Kpana, a blind student reading law at the University of Sierra Leone thanked development partners for the kind gesture, which he hoped would increase the participation of persons with disability in the Constitutional development of the country. In another development, series of promotional materials including questionnaires for public submission have also been produced by the UNDP to facilitate the review process. CRC Newsletter - June

10 Your input is important to the process, please download and fill out our Public Submission Forms on various thematic areas and send to the below address. You can also fill out our online public submission form on our website, CRC HOUR ON SLBC TV AND RADIO EVERY THURSDAY NOON FACE TO FACE WITH THE LAW ON SLBC TV AND RADIO EVERY TUESDAY 7-8 PM WE YUS ON SLBC TV FIRST MONDAY EVERY MONTH 8-9 PM CRC Partners Sanaullah Baloch Mohamed Faray Kargbo Maimunatu Massaquoi Chief Technical Advisor Information & Outreach Web Specialist/Computer Support UNDP, Sierra Leone CRC CRC Address: Miatta Conference Centre, Brookfields, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Telephone: Website: