UN FIELD COVERAGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS - SIERRA LEONE

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000036 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/RHS (AOSTERMEIR/GPATEL),DRL/MLGA(CSIBILLA), IO/PSC (DODELL) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL SL SUBJECT: UN FIELD COVERAGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS - SIERRA LEONE REF: STATE 2023 ¶1. The mandate for the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) ended in September, 2008. Prior to that, its Human Rights and Rule of Law Section was active, both in Freetown and the field, conducting activities and regularly reporting its finding to the Government of Sierra Leone and members of the international community. The new mission, the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) continues the focus on human rights, rule of law, and governance capacity issues. ¶2. UNIOSIL took strong steps to implement the priorities listed reftel, particularly those related to capacity-building for government institutions. Their trainings and assistance have complemented similar efforts provided by other donors, and the presence of Human Rights Officers in the major urban centers expanded UNIOSIL's reach significantly. UNIOSIL officers worked closely with their counterparts in the National Human Rights Commission, which is now fully staffed and operational, and is expected to be developed during this calendar year. ¶3. Post benefited greatly from UNIOSIL human rights reporting, and counted their staff as critical interlocutors for preparing various mandated reports. Their up-country reach provided useful information about human rights issues in locations emboffs cannot access on a regular basis. UNIPSIL has been equally helpful. ¶4. Though there continue to be significant issues in the area of human rights and rule of law in Sierra Leone, the UN mission here appears to be fully engaged, collaborative with the host government, civil society, and the international community, and vocal about promoting positive changes while also identifying ongoing challenges. Post will work closely with UNIPSIL throughout its mandate and perceptions of its efficacy septel, as needed. FEDZER