HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SIERRA LEONE

PRESS RELEASE  - HRCSL CONDEMNS HATE SONGS, THE USE OF CHILDREN, ILLICIT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL DURING POLITICAL RALLIES

Wednesday, October 31, 2012: The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has observed with concern the persistent use of indecent, obscene and provocative songs and slogans by members and supporters of the All Peoples Congress (APC) & Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), the two main political parties contesting the November 17 General Elections.

These songs and slogans, most of which are directed at Presidential Flag-bearers, running-mates and their mothers, ethnic groups and women candidates, have become rampant during political rallies, with complete disregard for the PPRC Code of Conduct and 2012 Election Declaration, and the HRCSL Elections Conference Resolutions, which political parties committed themselves to, as well as other rules and regulations relating to elections.

The Commission has also observed with dismay the use of children in political rallies and the indiscriminate use of illicit drugs and alcohol in such rallies.

The Commission outrightly condemns these acts, especially when they have the potential to expose children to drugs, alcohol and gangsterism, breed hostility, generate violence, and destroy our hard won peace.

HRCSL therefore calls on all political leaders, especially those from the two main parties earlier stated, to encourage their members to refrain from such practices. The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to remind all that elections are a means of peacefully exercising democratic rights to choose our leaders, and not an excuse for human rights violations/abuse.

Furthermore, the Commission would like to draw attention to its earlier press release issued on June 19, 2012, condemning hate political messages and provocative media contents, in which it urged all key elections stakeholders to refrain from using them.

Signed   

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Jamesina King                                                           

Ag Chairperson, HRCSL