By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

Amnesty International Sierra Leone has officially launched its State of the World Human Rights Report for 2025/2026, presenting a comprehensive overview of key national, regional and global human rights developments recorded in 2025. The report was unveiled on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, at the CCSL Hall on Kingharman Road in Freetown, drawing attention to persistent and emerging challenges affecting more than 150 countries worldwide.

The report highlights a global landscape marked by conflict, inequality and governance failures, offering a detailed assessment of human rights conditions across diverse regions. Providing an overview during the launch, Executive Director of Amnesty International Sierra Leone, Solomon Sogbandi, stated that the findings reflect a worrying global trend of increasing authoritarianism coupled with weakening accountability systems. He noted that major international institutions, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, are experiencing operational paralysis driven largely by geopolitical divisions, particularly within the United Nations Security Council.

Solomon Sogbandi described 2025 as a “tumultuous, chaotic and devastating” year, emphasizing that global political dynamics continue to undermine the enforcement of international human rights standards, with powerful states often disregarding established resolutions. Turning to Sierra Leone, he explained that the country’s human rights challenges are largely structural in nature, stemming from weak institutional capacity, inequality and poor enforcement mechanisms rather than a lack of legal frameworks.

He pointed to ongoing concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression, including reported cases of intimidation against journalists and the potential misuse of cybersecurity laws. Solomon Sogbandi also highlighted systemic issues within the healthcare sector, particularly shortages of medical personnel in rural communities and persistently high maternal mortality rates, challenges further compounded by reliance on external funding. Food insecurity, he added, remains a pressing issue, driven by climate change, erratic weather patterns, flooding and rising food prices.

The growing abuse of synthetic drugs, especially kush, was described as a national public health emergency fueled by youth unemployment and weak regulatory systems. He further observed that women and girls continue to face widespread violations, including gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. While acknowledging progress through legislative reforms such as the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the Child Rights Act of 2024 and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, Solomon Sogbandi stressed that implementation remains inconsistent and must be supported by broader social transformation, increased investment in public services and stronger community engagement.

Addressing the issue of female genital mutilation, he referenced a 2025 ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which found Sierra Leone in violation of women’s rights for failing to criminalize the practice. He described the ruling as a significant precedent that classifies female genital mutilation as torture under international law, while noting persistent gaps in national legislation and enforcement.

Environmental degradation also emerged as a critical concern, with the report identifying deforestation, mining activities and weak regulatory oversight as key drivers. According to the findings, environmental risks affect approximately two-thirds of the population, contributing to declining agricultural productivity, increased vulnerability to disasters and displacement. Solomon Sogbandi concluded that Sierra Leone’s human rights situation reflects what he termed a “duality of formal progress and substantive fragility,” emphasizing the need for stronger institutions, improved service delivery and inclusive governance.

Speaking on women’s rights, President of the 50/50 Group Sierra Leone, Professor Fredline M’Cormack-Hale, acknowledged that the country has made measurable legislative gains but remains “halfway” toward achieving full gender equality. She noted that reforms such as the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, the Political Parties Act and the Public Elections Act have contributed to improved women’s political representation, with female parliamentary seats increasing from 18 to 42.

Professor Fredline M’Cormack-Hale further stated that women now occupy 34.5 percent of ministerial positions and 33 percent of deputy minister roles, alongside expanded access to financial inclusion initiatives, particularly within the agricultural sector. Despite those advancements, she emphasized the persistence of an implementation gap, citing weak enforcement, limited public awareness and structural barriers that continue to undermine progress.

She also raised concerns about limited access to agricultural funding schemes, noting that many women remain unaware of available opportunities or face challenges in benefiting from them due to unclear implementation strategies. On the issue of female genital cutting, she described it as a critical test of Sierra Leone’s commitment to human rights, highlighting that activists often face social backlash, threats and stigmatization. She called for clearer legal protections, pointing to gaps such as the removal of provisions relating to the age of consent in recent revisions to the Child Rights Act.

Professor Fredline M’Cormack-Hale further urged the operationalization of the Human Rights Act of 2017 to strengthen protections for human rights defenders, stressing that advancing women’s rights must prioritize dignity, safety and bodily autonomy.

Delivering the keynote address, Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Hassan Samba Yarjah, focused on the right to food under the theme: “Feed Salone: Can a National Vision Turn the Right to Food Promise to Plate?” He noted that although Sierra Leone’s national agenda emphasizes food self-sufficiency, global data indicates that more than 300 million people continue to face hunger due to conflict, climate change and economic pressures.

Hassan Samba Yarjah emphasized that the right to food is a fundamental human right linked to dignity and survival, asserting that food insecurity in Sierra Leone is rooted in systemic governance challenges rather than a lack of potential. He outlined key priorities, including strengthening institutions, promoting transparency and ensuring inclusive participation of women, youth, rural communities and persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.

He called for increased civic engagement, urging citizens to demand accountability while supporting local food systems and encouraged Civil Society Organizations to monitor Government performance and amplify marginalized voices. The Commissioner also underscored the need for innovation and cross-sector collaboration to develop practical solutions such as climate-smart agriculture, improved storage systems and better market access.

Hassan Samba Yarjah concluded by stressing that human rights commitments must translate into tangible outcomes, warning that failure to ensure food security undermines national dignity and development. He urged all stakeholders, including Government, Civil Society, development partners and citizens, to treat the report as a catalyst for action.

Other speakers at the launch echoed concerns raised in the report, addressing issues such as drug abuse, healthcare challenges, crime and climate change, further underscoring the interconnected nature of human rights challenges in Sierra Leone.