Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Sierra Leone (Ratification: 1961)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Penal sanctions involving compulsory labour as a punishment for expressing political views. 1. Public Order Act. Recalling that contravening the requirements set forth under section 24 of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965 for convening or holding a public meeting is punishable with a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months (which may involve compulsory labour by virtue of section 51 of the Correctional Service Act of 2014), the Committee regrets the lack of information from the Government on the application of this provision. It recalls that the Convention protects persons who express political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system by establishing that in the context of activities they carry on for these purposes (like for example holding a public meeting) they cannot be punished with sanctions involving an obligation to work. The Committee againrequests the Government to indicate the scope of liability for individuals who contravene section 24 of the Public Order Act. It also requests the Government to provide information on the application of this provision in practice, including on courts decisions and sanctions imposed, describing the facts pursuant to which the court decisions were handed down and the penalties imposed.

2. Political Parties Act. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement, in its report, that the Political Parties Act No. 3 of 2002 was repealed by the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022. It observes that section 22(4) of the new Act still provides that an applicant for the registration of a political party shall not organise or hold a public meeting unless it has been issued with a certificate of registration by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) and that, pursuant to section 45, the PPRC may, by statutory instrument, adopt regulations that may prescribe a fine or a term of imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year (which may involve compulsory labour) for the contravention of any provision of the Act. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 45 of the Political Parties Act, 2022, including on court rulings handed down and sentences imposed, as well as on the facts that led to such convictions. Please provide a copy of any regulations adopted by the Political Parties Regulation Commission that prescribe sanctions for the contravention to provisions of the Political Parties Act, as provided for under section 45 of the Act.

3. Cybersecurity and Crime Act. The Committee notes that section 44 of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act No. 7 of 2021, provides that (1) a person, who individually or with another person wilfully and repeatedly communicates, either directly or indirectly, with another person, if he knows or ought to have known that his conduct is likely to cause that person apprehension or fear of violence to him […] or detrimentally affects that person […]; or (2) a person who recklessly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of a computer system or network that is grossly offensive […] or causes any such message or matter to be so disseminated without consent; or he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another person or causes such a message to be sent, commits an offence and shall be liable to a fine or to a term of imprisonment for a period not less than two years and not exceeding five years (which may involve compulsory labour) or to both. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of section 44 of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act, 2021, including on relevant court rulings and sentences imposed.