Bid to overturn Sierra Leone loitering laws that activists claim ‘criminalise poverty’

The Guardian: Citing claims of violence and rape by police, lawyers and activists mount legal challenge to laws brought in under British rule

A case has been filed against the government of Sierra Leone to overturn the country’s loitering laws, which activists and lawyers claim are discriminatory, and used by police to extract bribes from people and sexually abuse women.

The laws are used to target poor and vulnerable people, say critics, and to subject them to criminal sanctions for potential conduct rather than actual harm caused.

Read full article: Bid to overturn Sierra Leone loitering laws that activists claim ‘criminalise poverty’

Photo: Sam Abeka/OSF

42 Prison Freetown 1
Date:
31 May, 2022
Type of Update:
In the Courts
In the News
Themes:
Human Rights
Petty Offences
#PoorNotGuilty
Use of Public Spaces
Countries:
Sierra Leone
Regions:
Africa
Campaign Partners:
AdvocAid
FInal-logo-english-white

The Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status is a coalition of organisations from across the world that advocate for the repeal of laws that target people based on poverty, status or for their activism.

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@decrimpovertystatus

#DecrimPoverty   |  #DecrimStatus  |  #DecrimActivism