By: Africanist Press | 23 January 2024
The Sierra Leone Parliament has recently endorsed a controversial Counter Terrorism Act, which threatens the fundamental civil rights of citizens and grants sweeping powers to the state to silence opposition. This legislation, passed with little public consultation, could criminalize free speech, labeling dissent as terrorism. Its provisions target journalists, academics, and any individuals or groups the government deems a threat to national security. This bill is seen as a direct assault on freedoms of expression and academic inquiry in Sierra Leone.
In an urgent appeal for international support, the Africanist Press, a critical voice in Sierra Leone’s political discourse, urges global representatives to take a stand against this authoritarian overreach. This law, if enacted, would fundamentally change the landscape of civil rights and freedoms in Sierra Leone, with chilling consequences for free speech and democracy.
Read the full article by the Africanist Press, ‘Sierra Leone: Parliament Endorses Sweeping Anti-Democratic Law to Silence Critics: