Attorney General Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley

Sierra Leone's progress in promoting & protecting human rights since 1996 under multiparty democracy was highlighted at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council

Sierra Leone's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Tarawalley, has highlighted the progress made in promoting and protecting human rights in Sierra Leone since the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in 1996 at the 52nd regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
In his address, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Tarawalley, emphasizes Sierra Leone's commitment to respecting Human Rights.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by the council, including the impact of COVID-19 and political instability, but emphasized that human rights are fundamental to peace, sustainable development, and democratic consolidation. Tarawalley reaffirmed Sierra Leone's commitment to promoting and supporting proposals aimed at reinforcing the efficiency of the organs of the council, including its procedures and mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights.

He reported that Sierra Leone has made remarkable strides in promoting and protecting human rights since the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in 1996.

Under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, the government has introduced legislative measures to reinforce the independence of the justice system and reforms to expand access to justice.

The government has also established specialised courts to make justice not only accessible but also expeditious. There has been a considerable increase in budgetary support to the judiciary, and judicial staff has benefited from improved conditions of service to bring them in line with their counterparts in the sub-region.

In addition, Tarawalley reported that Sierra Leone has established peace and civic education commissions, while consolidating the rule of law institutions such as the Human Rights Commission, which has recently been re-accredited with a grade A status for the third consecutive time by the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions. Sierra Leone recognises and is committed to gender equality and women's empowerment as a crucial element of attaining sustainable peace and social and economic development in the country.

In this regard, the Parliament unanimously passed the gender equality and women's empowerment bill, signed into law by President Bio in November 2022.

This law guarantees improvements to women's access to finance, employment opportunities, equal pay, maternity leave, and women's participation and political representation.

Tarawalley acknowledged recommendations that were noted following the previous Universal Periodic Review cycle, especially those on the ban against pregnant girls, s*xual and gender-based violence, criminal libel, and the death penalty. In this regard, a significant human rights milestone was achieved in the abolition of the death penalty or the repeal of the criminal libel law, which was a great stride. Sierra Leone believes in the sanctity of life and that the death penalty was an inhumane form of punishment that violates rights to life and all human rights standards. Therefore, in July 2021, the Parliament unanimously abolished the death penalty by passing the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act.

Tarawalley concluded by assuring the council of his delegation's firm support of its individuals' mandates and Sierra Leone's commitment to promoting and protecting human rights guided by the principles of universality, objectivity, and non-selectivity.

https://media.un.org/en/asset/k12/k12ken9ha2

"Celebrating Legal Brilliance: President Bio Hosts Successful Attorney-General and Defense Team"

In a grand celebration of legal prowess and triumph, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio received the esteemed Attorney-General and Counsel for the 1st Defendant in a recent high-profile Supreme Court case. The President was moved by the dedication and success of this brilliant team of lawyers, who worked tirelessly to secure a decisive victory in the "Proportional Representation" Matter.

As he praised the group of legal professionals, President Bio took note of the impressive number of young lawyers in the team, a testament to the rising talent in the country's legal industry. The President expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their tireless efforts and outstanding performance in the court, solidifying their place as true leaders in their field.

This historic moment marked a significant milestone in the legal industry of Sierra Leone, as the team's triumph in the Supreme Court exemplifies their commitment to justice and their unwavering dedication to their clients. President Bio's gracious reception was a fitting tribute to the brilliant lawyers and their magnificent achievements, and it is with great pride that the nation celebrates this legal brilliance.

The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone has just ruled on the electoral system to be used in the upcoming June 2023 elections. Despite a legal challenge by several lawyers who argued that the Districts Block System would disenfranchise independent candidates, the court has decided that the elections will proceed using this system. However, the court also stated that independent candidates will be able to participate in the electoral process for the empty seats in the existing 16 districts in the country. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawallie, and the ECSL Chairman, Mohamed Konneh, were the defendants in the case. The decision was made by the Superior Court of Judicature Judges, presided over by Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, and came with a minimal cost of NLe 3,000 awarded to the plaintiff. "

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley, is working tirelessly to ensure that the Public Elections Act 2022 and the Political Parties Regulation Commission Act 2022 are passed into law. Yesterday, the two bills were tabled for discussion in Parliament Committee Room 1, and the AG explained that it is important to regularly update and develop laws to meet contemporary times. He emphasized the need for inclusive laws that ensure every Sierra Leonean has a say and is represented adequately. The AG urged members of the committee and the house to assist in passing these bills into law as elections approach, and welcomed input from members of the public. The Leader of the Opposition also recognized the importance of these bills and emphasized the responsibility of parliament to represent the wishes and desires of the people in passing them.

"Breaking News: The government has taken possession of a parcel of land located off Spur Road, Blue Bell Drive in Freetown. According to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley, this action is in compliance with the findings of the Honourable Justice Bankole Thompson Commission of Inquiry in 2018 and as ordered by the Government White Paper published in 2020. The property, which was registered as a deed of conveyance in 2012 and 2014, was deemed "ownerless" or "Bona vacantia" as no one came forward to claim it. This is a reminder that all property owners must keep their ownership records up to date to avoid losing possession of their property.

Attention Sierra Leoneans! The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley, wants to remind everyone that the upcoming elections in 2023 will be free, fair, and devoid of unnecessary deprivation of eligible electorates’ prerequisite rights. He stressed the importance of the free flow of ideas for the promotion of democratic spaces for political parties and other relevant election stakeholders. The AG also emphasized that citizens must be aware of their responsibilities as mandated by the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. Let's all work together to ensure peaceful elections and respect for human rights.
https://awokonewspaper.sl/ag-assures-a-free-fair-elections-and-respect-for-human-rights/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?mibextid=NnVzG8&ref=watch_permalink&v=463039539236865

President Julius Maada Wonie Bio has signed the Public Elections Act, 2022.
is an Act to repeal & replace the Public Elections Act, 2012 (Act No. 4 of 2012), to provide for supplementary provisions to sections 32 and 33 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991(Act No. 6 of 1991).
with respect to the Electoral Commission and to provide for other related matters.

WJF2022: AG highlights Govt.'s successes, calls on global leaders' support to achieve SDG 16 - SL News In his keynote address at this year’s World Justice Forum on ‘the Global State of Justice and the Rule of Law’, in The Hague, Netherlands, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley, has called for a collective action to support SDG 16 the creation of a peaceful, pr...

In order to achieve global order in terms of justice & strengthening of the the fundamental starting point is at national level. It is my firm belief that what is usually practised at national level is translated or manifested at the global stage.

Mohammed L Tarawalley on Twitter “In order to achieve global order in terms of justice & strengthening of the the fundamental starting point is at national level. It is my firm belief that what is usually practised at national level is translated or manifested at the global stage. ”

JUSTICE MINISTER JOINS ECOWAS JUSTICE MINISTERS FOR ICC SEMINAR

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Lamin Tarawallie, has joined his counterparts from the ECOWAS Member States at the King Fahad Hotel in Dakar, Senegal for a three-day high-level regional cooperation seminar on the International Criminal Court and National Justice in the fight against impunity for Rome Statute crimes and other severe or related crimes.

The ICC organized the seminar with support from the European Union and France. The EU Ambassador in Senegal, Irène Mingasson, spoke about the EU's concern about security issues within the Sahel. She said the EU has been a partner of the ICC since 2003 and re-affirmed its commitment to universality and support for global peace and the Rome Statutes.

Calling on states' commitments to the ICC Trust Funds for Victims, Ibrahim Sorie Yilla, a Sierra Leonean who is the Vice President of the ICC Trust Fund, said that 20 years ago, after the entry into force of the Rome Statutes, reparations were a reality for victims.

Mr. Yilla said the ICC Trust Fund was created separately but interdependently from the court and has been carrying out its work fully. He used the opportunity to call on African Justice Ministers to support the work of the Trust Fund for the sake and cause of victims' right to reparation.

The Deputy Prosecutor of the ICC, Mame Mandiaye Niang, a Senegalese, called for cooperation and complementarity and emphasized that the court renders justice to the people. He called on the African States to abandon their critical view of the ICC and to embrace the ongoing approach by the court built on respect and responsibility.

In declaring the conference open, the Senegalese Minister of Justice, Malick Sall, called on African States to review their will and work together to meet the requirements of prevention in the Rome Statutes. He also called on African States to contribute to the evolution of the ICC and should not consider it as justice against Africa.

On the other hand, while States Parties see themselves as essential elements in collaborating with the ICC, the ICC, on the other hand, has the obligation to deliver on its complementarity.

The conference, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Court’s entry into operation, will provide a platform for enhancing vertical cooperation between the Court and States Parties, and horizontal collaboration between States, the better to wage the fight against impunity for serious and related crimes. It will also be an opportunity to discuss capacity-building in national courts and to promote complementarity with a view to meeting victims’ needs for justice.

During the three-day deliberations, they will also look back at past cooperation and complementarity initiatives between the ICC and States Parties to the Rome Statute, ECOWAS members, and other partners, as well as identify the efforts to be made and strategies to be adopted by the ECOWAS Member States and other States in the region to become more effective in the fight against impunity for serious crimes.

They will give thought to introducing a mechanism for States Parties to prosecute serious offenses discovered by the ICC in the course of its investigations but falling outside its jurisdiction.

Participating in this seminar are the Ministers of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Republic of Chad, and the Central African Republic, given the cross-border security challenges faced by those countries and their contribution to the promotion of inter-State mechanisms to combat insecurity in the region.

Principal State Counsel, Osman I. Kanu, and State Counsel, Thomas Joe Freeman, are also participants in this high-level seminar.

AG sets for ICC’s Seminar in Dakar

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawallie, accompanied by the Principal State Counsel, Osman I. Kanu, and State Counsel, Thomas Joe Freeman, have left for Dakar, Senegal.

The trio legal minds would participate, in a three-day high-level regional cooperation seminar on the International Criminal Court and National Justice in the fight against impunity, for Rome Statute crimes and other serious or related crimes.

The ICC's regional seminar, which begins tomorrow and finishes on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, will also examine the concerns, difficulties, and potential for collaboration and complementarity among States Parties to the Rome Statute, with a specific focus on ECOWAS States.

The Ministers of Justice of ECOWAS Member States, as-well-as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Republic of Chad, and the Central African Republic, would also participate in the seminar.

To discuss cross-border security challenges, as-well-as their contribution to the promotion of inter-State mechanisms to combat insecurity in the region.

AG promises critical steps in addressing human trafficking

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley Esq., has pledged to take critical steps in addressing human trafficking.
He made this declaration at the national conference against human trafficking, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare in collaboration with the Vice President's office at the Freetown International Conference Centre in Aberdeen, yesterday Monday, February 28, 2202.
He said the Justice Department will continue to forge strong collaborations and increase cooperation and coordination amongst key government Ministries Departments and Agencies, as well as Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, the private sector, foreign governments, and UN agencies, in achieving the objectives of the National Action Plan.
“We shall utilize all available resources in prosecuting suspects and convicting perpetrators of Trafficking In Persons (TIP).”
Reports have indicated that over the past five years, human traffickers have exploited domestic victims, mainly from the rural provinces, at mining sites, agricultural farms, street crimes, and begging, while most foreign victims are mainly from the urban provinces of Sierra Leone, sent to foreign countries for s*x trade and forced labour.
In order to address challenges faced in relation to the prosecution of traffickers, the AG strongly encourages victims to speak up about their experiences and to further matters at the court. “I shall also engage the prosecution division of my office to initiate and develop new strategies and to effectively implement the National Action Plan to prevent trafficking in persons in Sierra Leone.”
Furthermore, the AG accentuated, “the Justice Department of my office will engage the Judiciary and other relevant law enforcement agencies on not only prioritizing TIP cases to be expeditiously tried but also the continued training of judges and prosecutors to effectively implement the Anti-Human Trafficking Act for the effective prosecution of cases.”
He disclosed that the justice department has been a strong pillar of support in this fight and that he is quite sure that their commitment now is more than ever before.
The AG explained that the Office Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons report 2021 from the US State Department noted that the government had made significant progress through collective efforts and consistent actions, noting that the report also applauded the government's overall increase in anti-trafficking capacity efforts, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These efforts noted in the above report, according to the AG include a significant increase in investigations and prosecutions, the allocation of funding to NGOs for protective services and adopting a new anti-trafficking national action plan.
He further explained that in 2005, the government legislated the 2005 Anti-Human Trafficking Act, No. 7 of 2005, which criminalizes s*x trafficking and labour trafficking, making the punishment “up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine or both.” He said while this law was largely welcomed, it was not without flaws.
Adding that the 2005 Act had been criticized for allowing perpetrators to avoid jail terms by paying a fine instead.
When the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012 was passed, the AG said it criminalizes s*x trafficking under its “forced prostitution” and “child prostitution” provisions and prescribes penalties of up to 15 years of imprisonment, making the crime of s*x trafficking equal to the punishment for r**e in Sierra Leone.
He also added that in 2019, the law was again amended to legislate tougher punishments for s*xual offenses, including s*x trafficking, from 15 years maximum imprisonment to life imprisonment.
As a result of the government’s persistent commitment and determination to combat this modern slavery, the AG disclosed that the government is currently working to replace the Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2005 with the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Bill 2021, which will improve victims' protection and impose sufficient sentences involving imprisonment, replacing the option of paying a fine for convicted traffickers.
“My ministry together with relevant stakeholders are working tirelessly to ensure that the appropriate authorities expedite the process of passing the said bill into a law,” the AG revealed.

Congratulations Michaela Edinia Swallow, on being unanimously re-elected as President of the .

Mohammed L Tarawally on Twitter “Congratulations Michaela Edinia Swallow, on being unanimously re-elected as President of the . ”

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Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley esq newly appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice - SL News In this history-making appointment, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley proves to be the youngest Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Sierra Leone. He was the former Solicitor General of Sierra Leone and is a barrister with over twenty years of practice. This is a man who many believe to be firm yet di...

His Excellency President Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio has appointed Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley Esq. as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.

The Sierra Leone Law School has produced outstanding attorneys, while the profession thrives, the school struggles to cover its basic needs.

However, in order to mark their 20th graduation, anniversary, the Class of 2001 has made a jaw-dropping novel donation to the school since its inception in the ’90s.

https://salone-news.com/class-of-2001-donation-to-law-school-wowed-cj/

Class of 2001 donation to Law School wowed CJ - SL News The Sierra Leone Law School has produced outstanding attorneys, while the profession thrives, the school struggles to cover its basic needs. However, in order to mark their 20th graduation, anniversary, the Class of 2001 has made a jaw-dropping novel donation to the school since its inception in the...

Ambassador Manuel Müller, accompanied by a member of the Election Follow-up Mission, had a successful discourse with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Anthony Y. Brewah; the Deputy Minister of Justice, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, and the Solicitor General, Mohamed Lamin Tarawallay. The Ambassador reaffirmed the EU's commitment to continue to assist Sierra Leone in improving governance.

Sierra Leone's Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Hon. Anthony Brewah, engages the Executive Director, & TPNW, Beatrice Fihn on the 2017 United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the status of the treaty in West Africa Sierra Leone's accession to the TPNW

The office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice is one of the most important ministries in the country, thus for a government to function properly, the office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice is very critical.

The investigative processes and mechanisms are very vital for or like institutions...

Solicitor General: NEC should be empowered to aid police probe electoral fraud

The Solicitor General and Principal Assistant to the Attorney General, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, has proposed that the National Electoral Commission (NEC) should be trained to help the police investigate electoral irregularities.

The Solicitor General recalled the last elections where several issues were raised bordering, around controversies, accusations, and counter-accusations.

“NEC deals with elections across the country, they know the issues, and it is a trustworthy organization that everyone depends on for appropriate results,” the Solicitor General stated.

Adding that NEC should be given the opportunity to create or train their own personnel to investigate offenses wherever they occur, and they will do so alongside the police or other security personnel, and once that is done, it will be able to reduce tensions and also it will avoid finger-pointing and accusations that reports were made... And it was not followed up, or prosecutions were not done based on the reports that were made.

“If NEC is given the opportunity to prepare and obtain their own personnel to help police with investigations during election times, it will help and assist the process greatly,” he maintained.

However, the Solicitor General stressed that he is not saying NEC should either have quasi-judicial function or power to arrest culprit or any person that they may be found wanting. “My suggestion is, they will assist the process of investigation, because they are the body responsible to conduct elections, so they know the way they are carrying out their processes.

So if I accused him, Mr. B, if there's a report to NEC about Mr. B of disorderly conduct, they know the reason, they know the materials they have out, they know the way they're conducting the elections, they will also work alongside with the police officers to ensure that if a matter is taken to court, at least they will get a conviction.”

Attorney General Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley updated their business hours.