| For a summary of Sierra Leone’s review at the first cycle please click here. |
24th UPR session
Date of review: 27 January 2016
Date of report adoption: 14 April 2016
Document number: A/HRC/32/16
| SUMMARY
SOGIESC issues during Sierra Leone’s 2nd UPR review Civil society submissions: ✓ (1 submission) National report: ✘ UN information: ✓ Working group discussions: ✓ Recommendations: ✓ (6 noted) |
I. SOGIESC issues/recommendations identified by NGOs
12. [NHRI] There was concern at the enjoyment of freedom of association, assembly and movement particularly by trade unions and LGBT rights activists. Large gatherings and demonstrations are banned under the 2014 Public Health Emergency Regulations, and movement of people restricted. The Government should fully comply with ICCPR regulations on state of emergency and ensure that the SLP act in an impartial and professional manner.
Equality and non-discrimination
36. AI stated that in Sierra Leone the law criminalizes same sex relationships between consenting adults, and recommended amending the Constitution to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; and ensuring that crimes motivated by any form of discrimination, including sexual orientation or gender identity, are investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.
II. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues from the national report
No references.
III. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues by UN agencies
Equality and non-discrimination
16. The Human Rights Committee noted with concern the prevalence of stereotypes and prejudices against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and was particularly concerned about acts of violence against them. It urged Sierra Leone to review the Constitution and legislation to ensure that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity was prohibited.
Administration of justice, including impunity, and the rule of law
38. The Human Rights Committee noted that, although apparently not implemented in practice, legislation imposing life imprisonment for same-sex practices and homosexuality was still in force and deterred victims from filing complaints for incidents of discrimination or violence based on sexual orientation.
IV. References to SOGIESC issues during the Working Group review
83. Ireland […] regretted that consensual same-sex relations remained criminalized and that laws were being used to detain and prosecute journalists.
101. The Netherlands […] noted that laws criminalizing consensual same-sex relations were still in place.
V. Conclusions and/or recommendations
Sierra Leone noted the following recommendations:
111.80 Decriminalize same-sex conduct between consenting adults and pass legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity (Canada);
111.81 Repeal sections 61 and 62 of the “Offences Against the Persons Act 1861”, which criminalize consensual same-sex relations (Netherlands);
111.82 Repeal legal provisions penalising sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex, in order to respect the principles of equality and non-discrimination among all persons (France);
111.83 Make the necessary legal amendments in order to eliminate standards that criminalize and stigmatize lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and intersex persons (Argentina);
111.84 Encourage the adoption of measures to guarantee the human rights of the lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and intersex population (Colombia);
111.85 Strengthen norms and programmes to combat discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Chile).
VI. Further information
You will find all documents relating to Sierra Leone’s second review at UPR-Info and OHCHR’s websites.