By: Tommy Sidikie
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), through its Directorate of Business and Human Rights and Labour Relations, facilitated a validation process for the Human Rights for Land Survey Report on Friday, October 25, at the CCSL Women’s Conference Hall, King Harman Road, Freetown.
Supported by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the engagement aimed to gather input from representatives of key ministries, departments, and agencies to promote inclusive and effective land governance in Sierra Leone.
In 2023, HRCSL was tasked with the responsibility of executing the survey on Land Tenure Governance and Human Rights, following the signing of a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with the FAO Sierra Leone Country Office.
The National Survey on Land Tenure Governance and Human Rights focuses on assessing the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT), aligning with Sierra Leone’s domestic laws and policies, as well as regional and international human rights obligations.
Participants were briefed on the report’s background, content, and methodology for data collection, along with the results from the Online Data Input.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary Joseph Kamara emphasized the Commission’s establishment, mandate, and functions, describing the engagement as a significant milestone in strengthening the partnership between the Commission and the FAO. He expressed gratitude to the FAO for their continued collaboration, highlighting their support during the development and launch of the Monitoring Guidelines for Business and Rights in Sierra Leone in 2013.
National Project Coordinator at FAO, Joel Kamara, noted that the collaboration with the Commission represents a vital step toward ensuring that national laws and policies align with the voluntary guidelines for responsible land tenure governance while upholding international human rights principles. He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to promoting human rights in land governance issues in Sierra Leone, stating, “Together we can empower communities, enhance transparency, and foster sustainable development.”
