Sierra Leone IDAHO Report 2013

May 17, 2013 saw the publication of the first ever study of LGBTI communities in Sierra Leone. The study was jointly produced and published by Sierra Leone rights groups Dignity Association and Pride Equality and, international NGO, Global Rights. You can find out more and access the full report via this link.

The media release, which accompanied the publication of the report, now follows:

On the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), May 17th 2013, Pride Equality joins the rest of the world to celebrate it.
Our just released first LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report in Sierra Leone reveals that:
·      99% of LGBTI people had experienced harassment and discrimination, and thattransgender women are more susceptible to being harassed or beaten up.
·      Manyare likely to be asked out of their homes, no longer feel safe staying in theirhomes or are kicked out of rented properties when their sexual orientation andgender identity is exposed.
·      Overwhelmingnumber of LGBTI people fear reporting violations to police or the Human RightsCommission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), because of the existence of the 1861 Act whichcriminalizes homosexuality.
The International Instruments such as Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights (UDHR) address the rights to equality; freedom fromdiscrimination; life, liberty, and personal security; freedom from torture anddegrading treatment; recognition as a person before the law; equality beforethe law; and the rights to marry and have a family.
Chapter III of the Sierra Leone Constitution guarantees therecognition and protection of fundamental human rights. It states “Whereasevery person in Sierra Leone is entitled to the fundamental human rights andfreedoms of the individual, that is to say, has the right, whatever his race,tribe, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed or sex, but subject torespect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, toeach and all of the following:
a.     life, liberty, security of person, theenjoyment of property, and the protection of law;
b.     freedom of conscience, of expression andof assembly and association;
c.     respect for private and family life, and
d. protection from deprivation ofproperty without compensation;
We are calling on the Government of Sierra Leone, Human RightsCommission of Sierra Leone, Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and otherstate agencies to:
·      Ensurethat the rights of all Sierra Leoneans, irrespective of their sexualorientation or gender identity are protected by law (inclusion of LGBTI Rightsin the Constitution) ;
·      Promoterespect for human rights and a culture of human rights that is inclusive ofLGBTI rights;
·      Spearheadthe revision of the Constitution to ensure universal equality including on thebasis of sexual orientation and gender identity;
·      Effectivelyinvestigate and prosecute reported incidences of violence against LGBTIpersons.
·      Effectivelyinvestigate incidences of violence and other crimes against LGBTI individuals.
·      Refrainfrom arbitrary detention and arrest on grounds of perceived or actual sexualorientation and gender identity.
The fight against homophobia andtransphobia must be an all hands on deck issue as “together we can stop discrimination, embrace diversity andequality”.