Egregious Human Rights Violations …
UN SLAMS SLPP GOVERNMENT
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara (Kamalo)
The United Nations has formally raised serious concerns with the Government of Sierra Leone over the alleged arbitrary detention, judicial harassment and intimidation of two prominent human rights defenders, Prince Tommy Williams and Mohamed Turay of Lifeline Nehemiah Projects (LNP).
In a strongly worded communication dated 24 April 2026 (Reference: AL SLE 2/2026), four independent UN human rights mandate holders urged the Government to explain the legal basis for the criminal proceedings against the two activists and to outline measures taken to protect them and other members of LNP.
The letter was jointly signed by Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Ganna Yudkivska, Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; and Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
According to the UN experts, the allegations stem from a long-running land dispute involving LNP’s Kuntorloh compound in East Freetown, where the organization has held a registered freehold title since 2020. Despite a High Court interim injunction issued in February 2025 restraining any interference with the property, the experts noted that construction allegedly continued on the land.
The communication recounts a series of incidents, including police operations, arrests, the use of tear gas in the Kuntorloh community, alleged assaults on LNP members and beneficiaries, confiscation of organizational property and repeated criminal charges against Williams and Turay.
The UN experts further expressed concern that court hearings in the criminal cases have been repeatedly adjourned due to the complainant’s failure to appear and present evidence.
Describing the reported actions as deeply troubling, the UN officials said they were “deeply alarmed by the targeting and criminalization of human rights defenders”, warning that the alleged actions appeared to be directly linked to the pair’s peaceful human rights activities and exercise of their freedom of expression.
The communication also questioned the continuation of construction on the disputed property despite the High Court injunction and an ongoing investigation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Social and Environmental Compliance Unit.
The UN requested detailed explanations from the Government on the legal basis for the prosecutions, the measures taken to protect the two human rights defenders and LNP members, and broader steps being implemented to ensure that human rights defenders in Sierra Leone can carry out their work free from intimidation, harassment and reprisals.
The experts warned that unless adequately addressed, the matter could be made public through the UN communications reporting system and may also be considered separately by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which could determine whether the deprivation of liberty was arbitrary.
Pending the Government’s response, the UN urged Sierra Leonean authorities to take immediate measures to halt any alleged violations, prevent their recurrence and ensure accountability should the allegations be substantiated.
The communication underscores growing international scrutiny over the protection of civic space, freedom of expression and the safety of human rights defenders in Sierra Leone.