“Section 16(b) of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act (the Law) excludes the HRCSL from investigating any matter involving human rights violations that occurred before the coming into operation of the Law. The SCA acknowledges the response by the HRCSL that in principle it can intervene in cases of alleged human rights violations that are continuous in nature. 

“The FIHR informed that is has been entrusted with additional mandates, such as to provide support to individual whistle-blowers, through the Laws of 28 November 2022 (for the private sector) and 8 December 2022 (for the public sector), and that the FIHR has been formally appointed as the Belgian focal point on the fight against SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation). 

The SCA notes that, to function effectively, an NHRI must be provided with an appropriate level of funding in order to guarantee its independence and its ability to freely determine its priorities and activities. Provision of adequate funding by the State should include the allocation of a sufficient amount of resources for mandated activities. Where the National Institution is designated with additional responsibilities by the State, additional financial resources should be provided to enable it to assume the responsibilities of discharging these functions. 

The SCA recommends that the FIHR advocates for the funding necessary to ensure it can effectively carry out its mandate. 

The SCA refers to Paris Principle B.2 and to its General Observation 1.10 on ‘Adequate funding of NHRIs’.”