UN in Sierra Leone commemorates Human Rights Day with drama, music & statements.

With a clear message and hope for increased knowledge of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a blueprint for taking concrete action to stand up for human rights, UN Resident Coordinator (RC) Babatunde Ahonsi on Monday, used the United Nations in Sierra Leone-organized Human Rights Day observance to emphasize his point with the "Get Up, stand up, stand up for your right" lyrics of the late reggae musician Bob Marley.

Veering from his script, the RC was accompanied in his rendition of the song by the Sierra Leone Correctional Service Band, the University of Sierra Leone Theater Group and the audience composed of Ambassadors, Government of Sierra Leone ministers and other officials, and members of the civil society and the human rights constituency.

“We all must ensure that no one is left behind in this journey," Mr Ahonsi said while stressing that the Human Rights Day commemoration this year has a particular significance for all." It launches activities related to the 75th anniversary of the UDHR, to be celebrated on 10 December next year’’.

He said there were several ways to support the campaign and that this was the time to make concrete the content and language of the UDHR, with the day marking the culmination of the 16-Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. 

Stand up for our rights and those of others is one of the calls of the UDHR, the RC said. "We all have a role to play to realize freedom and equality for all at our own levels, in our communities and beyond," he reiterated.

Furthermore, "to do so, we need to act in our daily lives to uphold our rights and the rights of others to work together for a more sustainable, just and prosperous world," Mr Ahonsi indicated.

He also called for an economy that invests in human rights and works for everyone.

Soulef Guessoum, the Officer in Charge, UN Women Sierra Leone, said that her agency would continue to work with partners and across the UN System to strengthen protection for women and girls, including human rights defenders.

She called for a redoubling of efforts to make the gender equality law recently passed by the Parliament of Sierra Leone effective and properly implemented, "and this will require additional legal reforms and new policies and protections in place."

She reminded the audience that "53% of women in the country experience physical and/or sexual Violence. 30% of young girls are married before reaching the age of 18, and 86 % have been through genital mutilation."

Ambassador Manuel Muller, Head of the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone, said human rights are at the heart of the EU's internal and external relations and that the Union upholds and advances human rights worldwide.

This year, according to the Ambassador, the EU joined forces with the UN to commemorate the proclamation of the UDHR "and ‘’to reaffirm our commitment to ensure that Human Rights are upheld and respected everywhere."

He encouraged electoral management bodies and political actors to continue to increase dialogue and consultation, seeking common ground and building trust based on full transparency.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation, Madam Mamadi Ngobeh- Kamara said the principles enshrined in the UDHR are as relevant today as they were in 1948 when they were adopted.

She highlighted steps taken by the Government to fulfil human rights obligations, including efforts to mitigate sexual and gender-based violence with the introduction of the Sexual Offences Court. She mentioned that Sierra Leone also co-facilitated the UN General Assembly resolution "International Cooperation for Access to Justice, Remedies and Assistance for Survivors of Sexual Violence", which calls on all to promote access to justice, remedies and assistance for victims and survivors of sexual violence.

"We believe that tolerance and inclusion are non-negotiable human rights," the Minister reaffirmed.

The University of Sierra Leone Theatre Group also performed a play depicting the theme, 'Dignity, freedom and justice for all."

Earlier in the same day, Mr Ahonsi made a statement during a programme organized by the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone emphasizing on the promise of dignity and equality in rights, which has been under sustained assault in recent years for various reasons including poverty, insecurity, pandemics, and environmental degradation.

“It is equally important that governments and people embrace a shared and comprehensive vision of human rights for a just and sustainable development,” the RC said.