Human rights manifesto

Robinson commended the stated intention of local authorities to build this infrastructure, as evidenced by the signing on Thursday yesterday of the “Human Rights Manifesto of Sierra Leone”. This document reaffirms the government’s commitment, and that of the country’s civil society, “to the unwavering and non-discriminatory promotion of all human rights for present and future generations in Sierra Leone.” It also contains provisions on the establishment of an independent national human rights institution and of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In the manifesto the government reiterates its commitment to raise the age of recruitment into military service to 18 years and its intention to incorporate into national law the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Sierra Leone has received criticism for allowing the recruitment of children into the Kamajors, a militia of traditional hunters loyal to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. Many children have also been forcibly recruited into the RUF whose members are accused of committing atrocities. Robinson was accompanied by a high-level delegation of African and international personalities, including Ketumile Masire, the former President of Botswana.