The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) on Thursday hosted a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Court of Justice, led by its President, Hon. Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves, in a move aimed at deepening collaboration on human rights protection and the enforcement of regional court judgments.
The meeting, held at the HRCSL headquarters on Tower Hill, Freetown, centered on establishing stronger partnerships between the two institutions to promote human rights and ensure compliance with decisions of the ECOWAS Court.
Vice Chairperson of the Commission, Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq., who led the discussions for HRCSL, emphasized the shared mandate between the two institutions.
“The Human Rights Commission is a quasi-judicial body, and the ECOWAS Court is a full judicial body. We want to be a key partner in supporting the Court’s human rights work, especially in cases relating to Sierra Leone,” Lansana stated.
The delegation, which included the Court’s Vice President, Honourable Justice Sengu Koroma, expressed appreciation for the engagement and reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to delivering justice and protecting human rights across West Africa.
Mr. Apraku Nketiah, Head of Legal Services and Research at the Court, highlighted its evolution from resolving inter-state disputes to adjudicating human rights cases. He stressed that the enforcement of judgments rests with individual member states, making cooperation with national institutions like HRCSL critical for advocacy, sensitization, and compliance.
The ECOWAS Court President noted that one of the Court’s biggest challenges is state compliance with its orders, which often depends on the political will of member states. He also inquired about the Commission’s relationship with central government and its budgetary independence.
Both institutions pledged to strengthen their collaboration to enhance human rights promotion and ensure that judgments of the ECOWAS Court are respected and implemented in Sierra Leone and across the subregion.
By Tamba Sellu
