The News Review:
- … Background: Overview of human rights issues in Sierra Leone…
- Acturial Valuation of the NASSIT in Sierra Leone as at December 31st…
- Essential Background: Overview of human rights issues in Liberia…
- Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About…
- Policing those who police the peace
… Background: Overview of human rights issues in Sierra Leone…
hrw.org – Dec 31, 2004
However, implementation of the rule of law remains weak and questions remain about the governments willingness to guarantee economic, social, and cultural rights. The mismanagement and corruption of public funds, coupled with high unemployment among young adults, a drastic increase in basic commodity prices, and continued insecurity within the sub-region, render Sierra Leone vulnerable to future instability. Sierra Leone's civil war was characterized by egregious human rights abuses on all sides but especially by rebel forces. A confluence of factors helped end the war, including the deployment of a 17,000-member United Nations (U…
Despite the disarmament of some 47,000 combatants, and the successful completion of presidential and parliamentary elections in 2002 and local elections in 2004, the deep rooted issues that gave rise to the conflictendemic corruption, weak rule of law, crushing poverty, and the inequitable distribution of the country's vast natural resourcesremain largely unaddressed by the government. Significant progress has been made, however, in achieving accountability for war crimes committed during the decade-long war and some hopeful developments that may build respect for human rights. During 2004 the Special Court for Sierra Leone commenced its first trials, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission submitted its report to the government, and the Parliament passed an act establishing the National Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone. Nevertheless, the draw-down and eventual complete withdrawal of UNAMSIL peacekeepers set for June 2005 and continuing insecurity in neighboring Liberia, Guinea, and Cote dIvoire give cause for concern. During 2004, the military strength of UNAMSIL was reduced from 11,500 to fewer than 5,000 troops. Given continuing concerns about the extent to which the Sierra Leone police and army can ensure the security of the country and will uphold the rule of law, a residual force of some 3,250 UNAMSIL military personnel will remain in Sierra Leone until at least June 2005. Accountability for Past Abuses The U.
Acturial Valuation of the NASSIT in Sierra Leone as at December 31st…
Awareness Times – Dec 31, 2004
The system assures good protection to the work force concerning old-age, disability and death. However, the coverage of the private sector is very low and the NASSIT should continue its efforts to attract them into the scheme. The scheme is currently in good financial condition, the investment policy is adequate and there is a willingness on the part of management to make the existence of this new scheme a success (we saw during this review many high quality internal papers regarding the scheme). The scheme is relatively young.
Essential Background: Overview of human rights issues in Liberia…
hrw.org – Dec 31, 2004
There has been little discussion on how to ensure accountability for past human rights abuses. The selection of commissioners for the truth and reconciliation commission mandated by the 2003 peace agreement, lacked transparency. The Nigerian government, which offered former president Charles Taylor a safe haven in August 2003 when rebels threatened to take the capital Monrovia, has refused to hand him over to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which indicted him for war crimes connected with his support for rebels in Sierra Leone. Meanwhile, several of Taylors close associates have been implicated in plans to attack neighboring Guinea, which once served as a haven for the rebels which led to his removal from power. Ongoing Insecurity and Related Abuses Protection of the civilian population remains an urgent priority, particularly given serious institutional deficiencies within the national police force and judicial system. By the end of 2004, peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) were deployed in all major towns and along most highways. Prior to this deployment and the disarming of ex-combatants there were frequent reports of harassment of civilians, forced labor in rubber and diamond producing areas, extortion at market places, looting of foodstuffs intended for aid distribution, assaults against aid workers, illegal checkpoints, and looting…
There has been little discussion on how to ensure accountability for past human rights abuses. The selection of commissioners for the truth and reconciliation commission mandated by the 2003 peace agreement, lacked transparency. The Nigerian government, which offered former president Charles Taylor a safe haven in August 2003 when rebels threatened to take the capital Monrovia, has refused to hand him over to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which indicted him for war crimes connected with his support for rebels in Sierra Leone. Meanwhile, several of Taylors close associates have been implicated in plans to attack neighboring Guinea, which once served as a haven for the rebels which led to his removal from power. Ongoing Insecurity and Related Abuses Protection of the civilian population remains an urgent priority, particularly given serious institutional deficiencies within the national police force and judicial system. By the end of 2004, peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) were deployed in all major towns and along most highways. Prior to this deployment and the disarming of ex-combatants there were frequent reports of harassment of civilians, forced labor in rubber and diamond producing areas, extortion at market places, looting of foodstuffs intended for aid distribution, assaults against aid workers, illegal checkpoints, and looting.
Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About…
ìììë – ìììë(ìëÃÂ) – Dec 31, 2004
He says the whole region suffers when the people of Casamance suffer. He also assured Guinea-Bissau no longer gives a safe haven to rebels from Casamance. The rebellion had created a dense network of illicit and criminal connections within the region, including the Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Several hours after the signing ceremony, led by Senegal’s interior minister, Ousmane Ngom, and the aging rebel leader, 77-year-old Father Diamacoune Senghor, a local official read out the full text of the agreement. The pact renounces the armed conflict and calls for further negotiations on disarmament, rehabilitation of former fighters and reconstruction of the region. Several small fringe groups within the rebel movement refused to attend, and released statements saying their fight for independence continues. London-based analyst from the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Alex Vines, says this could be worrisome, especially with research indicating small arms are still flowing into the region.
Policing those who police the peace
International Herald Tribune – Dec 31, 2004
But recent allegations of sexual abuses by UN peacekeepers have shaken this semblance of stability. Although the allegations involve only a small percentage of the peacekeepers, they are, unfortunately, not new. Similar accusations have been made in Burundi, Bosnia, Cambodia, East Timor, Ethiopia, Liberia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone. Allowing peacekeepers to get away with criminal conduct compromises UN efforts and guarantees that such abuses will continue. Alas, prosecuting the guilty is no easy task. First, locating those involved is in itself a herculean challenge. Peacekeepers are constantly rotated in and out of countries and their victims, many of whom are destitute, are often forced by conflict to live a nomadic existence among refugee camps and food distribution centers.