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Ibrahim Tommy Executive Director |
Welcome to the official website of Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL-SL). CARL is an independent, not-for-profit organization that seeks to promote a just society for all persons in Sierra Leone, through monitoring institutions of accountability, outreach and advocacy for institutional transparency, capacity building and empowerment of citizens.CARL has its origin in the Special Court Monitoring Group (SCMG), which was established in May 2004 as a partnership project of the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and the Coalition for Justice and Accountability (COJA) to exclusively monitor and produce objective reporting on proceedings before the Court for both local and international community.
The Special Court was established in 2002 as an international tribunal of mixed jurisdiction and composition, pursuant to an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone. It is mandated to prosecute persons who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996.
The Special Court Monitoring Group (SCMG) was renamed the Sierra Leone Court Monitoring Programme (SLCMP) in August 2005, as its monitoring activities were expanded to include the domestic courts. By 2007, SLCMP’s activities had expanded to include outreach and advocacy for legislative reforms, access to justice for all, among others. The organization was, therefore, renamed the Center for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) in 2008 to reflect its broad mission.
CARL also monitors the functioning of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), which was established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to investigate allegations of corruption particularly in the public sector. Although the Commission is making strong efforts at combating corruption in the country, there is still need to “watch the watchman”. This is why CARL monitors the functioning of the Commission, and provides regular updates on its activities.
Why the need for monitoring, and advocacy for judicial and legislative reforms? In its October 2004 report, the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cited the weaknesses in the justice sector, bad governance, endemic corruption, and the denial of basic human rights as some of the underlying conditions that caused and fuelled the 11 years civil conflict (1991-2002) in the country. The Sierra Leone judiciary had, for instance, sunk to its lowest point, with political manipulation of judicial process, undue delays, bribery and corruption as some of its distinguishing features. Subsequently, and in consequence, the national court system was one of the institutions that suffered the most from the conflict. Reforming the judiciary and upholding the rule of law is absolutely critical to consolidating peace. As judicial and legislative reforms are underway in the country, CARL seeks to not only monitor the functioning of accountability institutions, but to also enhance the capacity of civil society groups which focus on similar programmes. It is hoped that these efforts will significantly contribute to preventing the country relapse into conflict.
This website will provide regular updates on the activities of major justice and accountability institutions of Sierra Leone with a view to raising public awareness, ensuring civil society participation and proffering recommendations aimed at enhancing their performance. While we do this, we are aware that our objectives cannot be achieved in isolation. We look forward to working with everyone who is committed to Sierra Leone’s post-conflict recovery efforts. As you go through this website, please feel free to send us your thoughts on our activities. Your contributions will certainly help us do a better job.
On behalf of the Center for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) Sierra Leone, I welcome you to our official website and wish that you enjoy the benefit of the information and analysis it provides.
Ibrahim Tommy, Executive Director
Last Updated on Friday, 17 February 2012 21:22
