Disability is a Political Issue
The Executive Director of Disability Rights Movement (DRIM), Mr. Vandy A. Konneh is reported as saying that disability equality and empowerment are political issues that need political response. He pointed out that government has the responsibility to ensure that justice is administered fairly without discrimination against disabled. The Director also pointed at the underrepresentation of disabled in politics and decision making process citing that only one disabled is in parliament and no representatives in cabinet or other public offices. He further noted that in a bid to meet the MDG, there is direct need to promote disability rights and improve disability access to basic services, economic and political opportunities as they do not have equal access to health, transportation and employment among others. Disability issue as a human rights issue was given prominence with the passing into law the Disability Act of 2011 and the ratification by Parliament of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities.After 6 years… JSDP spent £27m
The Justice Sector Development Programme (JSDP) an initiative of the Government of Sierra Leone, funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) after six years of existence is reported have spent 27 million pounds (£27m) on 17 areas on the justice sector across the country. The programme which started in 2005 has come to an end with a celebration of its journey by the Justice Sector Coordinating Office.
In his keynote address the Vice President Samuel Sam Sumana disclosed that JSDP was initiated to build the country’s justice sector, adding that lack of justice was cited by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as one of the factors that sow the seed for the country civil war. He further said that of the 17 areas of the programme are issues like human rights development, awareness raising on rule of law and access to justice. The Vice President also cited the Magistrate Court at Pademba Road, the improvement in juvenile justice and the Pilot National Legal Aid Scheme among others.
Statements were also delivered by the Commissioner, Anti Corruption Commission and the Project Manager, JSDP, Peter Vinev. Mr. Joseph Kamara acknowledged the support of JSDP towards the ACC in the fight against corruption and assured that his institution will minimize the incidence of corruption even as the JSDP programme has come to an end. In his contribution, Peter Vinev highlighted the 17 intervention areas of the programme which include but not limited to the Family Support Unit, Juvenile Justice, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs.
Workload on Judges… 152 cases before the High Court of Sierra Leone
The Honourable Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Umu Hawa Tejan Jalloh had presided over one hundred and fifty two cases after weeks of recess by the High Court. The roll call ceremony which took place at the Freetown High Court No. 1 was done after cases from Magistrates Courts were committed to the High Courts for trial. Among the offences committed by the various accused, the list shows that robbery with aggravation is prominent followed by abuse of young girls, conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit a felony. The Chief Justice acquitted one Amidu Keita who was accused of child stealing after the matter was committed to the High Court by Magistrate J.O Wellington.
