Lawyers’s society condemns the arbitrary arrest and detention of CSOs.

In a press release, the Lawyer’s Society SL criticised law enforcement for unlawfully arresting and detaining civil society activists Thomas Babadi and Madi Williams. The above mentioned CSO’s were purportedly detained for requesting for a public gathering at the ECSL office for the purpose of electoral concerns.

The Lawyer’s Society is a newly launched organisation of a group of lawyers representing the legal profession with the objective of upholding the rule of law, serving as a radical watchdog of democracy, protecting human rights, and safeguarding the constitution.

The Lawyer’s Society places a strong focus on the freedom of expression and assembly of individuals guaranteed by the constitution of Sierra Leone. They further recognise the duty of the police to protect lives and property but, however, criticizes them for overstepping their authority by making arbitrary arrests and detaining civil society activists.

They further characterise the act as unlawful and a violation of the constitutional rights of citizens as well as undermining the principles of democracy.

The society urges the immediate release of the individuals and calls for the protection of civil liberties.