Project Description (2012 Phase II - USD 600,000):

This project intends to continue the support provided to the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone in accomplishment of its strategic plan which aims at promoting the creation of a human rights culture in Sierra Leone.

This project will specifically support the strengthening of the Commission’s regional presences and enhance its human rights monitoring and investigation capacity.

Gender Marker Score: 

Addressed to the Sierra Leonean population in general, at least 52% of beneficiaries shall be women

PBF Priority Area(s) and Outcomes:

PBF priority area 2: Promote coexistence and peaceful conflict resolution

PBF Outcome 7: Exercising of fundamental human rights by general public improved to redress enduring practices of political and economic exclusion, e.g. though support to institutional HR mechanism, safeguard and oversight arrangements for the promotion of fundamental HR

Outputs and Key Activities:

Output 1: Strengthened outreach capacity of the Commission (Goal 6,7)

Key Activities

• Training of Commissioners and staff
• The provision of Logistic communication support to the HRCSL regional offices
• Support to the projects of HR Committees
• Sensitization activities on human rights
• Publication of IEC materials
• Support advocacy on the Disability Act an UN Convention on disability
• Joint activities with grass root level women organization on women’s rights

Output 2 : Human rights situation throughout the country monitored and reported thgrough the enhanced capacity of the Commission (Goal 1,8)

Key Activities

• Routine and thematic monitoring of human rights and publication of thematic reports
• Publication of state of human rights report 2011
• Logistic support to the Directorate of Monitoring
• Training workshops for HR Committees on human rights monitoring
• Strategic meetings with government authorities on monitoring findings

Output 3: Quasi-judicial function of the Commission strengthened (Goal 1 Strategic Plan)

Key Activities

• Support to investigate human rights violations and conduction of public hearing
• Provision of logistic support to the Directorate of complaints and investigation
• Study visits for the new Commissioners on quasi-judicial functions
• Transport and emergency medical support to the victims of HR violation
• Establishment of complaint mechanism in all districts where the Commission does not have presence
• Production of contextualized manual on complaint handling
• Establishment of complaint management system (computer database)
• ToT for HR Committees on complaint mechanism of the Commission

***

Project Description (2011 Phase I - USD 200,000):

This project intends to continue the support provided to the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone in the accomplishment of the eight goals  in its 2009-2011 strategic plan, to promote the creation of a human rights culture by increasing HRCSL’s services to the communities as per its mandate and also contribute to the implementation of the TRC recommendations.

Gender Marker Score: 

Addressed to the Sierra Leonean population in general, at least 52% of beneficiaries shall be women

PBF Priority Area(s) and Outcomes:

This project addresses PBF priority area 2 (promote coexistence and peaceful conflict resolution), particularly in outcome 2.7. Human Rights being a cross-cutting issue, the project shall indirectly also have impact in outcomes 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 2.8, 4.12

Outputs and Key Activities:

Output 1: Strengthened Capacity of the Commission including its enhanced outreach ( Strategic goal 6)

Key Activities

• Training of Commissioners and staff
• Equipping the regional offices with the provision of computer, motorbikes, furniture
• Provision of communication equipment for smooth internet connection at HQ and regional offices

Output 2: Enhanced capacity of civil society and government on human rights (Strategic goal 7)

Key Activities:

• Training workshop for Human Rights Committees and civil society
• Training workshop for public officials
• Support treaty reporting and implementation of UPR recommendations

Output 3: Enhanced human rights education including through community sensitization (Strategic Goals 4, 2, 5)

Key Activities:

• Sensitization activities in all districts and targeted chiefdoms
• Publication of IEC materials, including posters, banners and user friendly human rights documents 
• Printing of state of human rights report
• Development of human rights guidelines for public officials

Output 4 : Human rights situation throughout the country monitored and reported ( Strategic goal 1)

Key Activities:

• Monitoring of free medical care for children and lactating mothers
• Monitoring of prisons

Output 5 : Promotion of the rights to equality and non-discrimination ( Strategic goal 4)

Key Activities

• Engagement and interaction with political parties for nomination of women candidates for elections
• Support advocacy on the passage of bill to domesticate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
• Provide transport and immediate medical and counseling support to the victims of HR Violation