2009 - 2012 Strategic Plan
The Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL) is an independent monitoring organization comprised of human rights and civil society activists committed to promoting accountability and the rule of law in post-conflict Sierra Leone. CARL has its origins in the Special Court Monitoring Programme, 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 monitor trials at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The organization was renamed the Sierra Leone Court Monitoring Programme (SLCMP) in August 2005, as it expanded its monitoring activities into the domestic courts. As a result of its increased interventions in areas such as outreach and legislative advocacy, the SLCMP has expanded its mandate beyond monitoring, and has consequently changed its name to CARL to reflect its broader mission.
CARL’s primary focus remains the monitoring of pivotal rule of law and accountability institutions, namely national courts and the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), as well as an extensive focus on the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). CARL will also continue to monitor both the Special Court and other national institutions. The organization is also involved in legislative reform, advocating, for example, for laws promoting gender equality and review of the Constitution. Furthermore, CARL will dedicate itself to strengthening the capacity of civil society groups who serve as critical institutions in Sierra Leone’s evolving democratic society.
1.1 Purpose of CARL’s Strategic Plan
While weaknesses in the justice sector continue to undermine the effective administration of justice and strict observance of the rule of law, the global economic downturn has brought further hardship to Sierra Leone’s citizens, who face an ever-increasing cost of living. Given the organization’s desire to contribute substantially to the Government’s reform initiatives, CARL has deemed it is continually necessary to strategically position the programme in a clearly focused and result-driven direction. A well-focused strategic plan will enable CARL to consolidate the expansions it has made in key strategic operational areas and to maintain its flexibility in accommodating emerging challenges and opportunities over the next three years.
1.2 Process
CARL’s 2009 – 2012 plan represents a year-long effort to outline the organization’s, mission, vision critical issues for its future, goals and the strategies necessary to achieve them. In July 2008, CARL began a series of interactive processes and consultations among programme functionaries and stakeholders, as well as funding bodies, local and international partners. That same month, an in-house committee was established to coordinate a review process allowing both international and local partners to provide useful feedback on the initial draft. A workshop, attended by Freetown-based and field staffers, as well as members of a newly constituted Board of Trustees, provided an opportunity for parties to further examine the draft plan. Read more...
