The Lawyers’ Society has strongly denounced the arrest and detention of civil society activists Thomas Babadi and Wadi Williams, who were apprehended ahead of their planned demonstration outside the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) offices.
In a statement released yesterday, the group described the arrests as “arbitrary” and a violation of constitutional rights.
“Freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights enshrined in Sections 25(1) and 26(1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No.6 of 1991),” the statement emphasized. “These rights serve as the cornerstone for the right to protest.”
The planned protest, which Babadi and Williams had officially notified the police about in compliance with the law, was reportedly aimed at addressing concerns about electoral processes. However, their detention has sparked outrage among rights advocates.
While acknowledging the police’s duty to maintain law and order, the Lawyers’ Society argued that such responsibility “does not extend to the arbitrary denial of citizens’ requests to engage in peaceful protests and demonstrations, and even worse, the arrest of persons for simply complying with the law.”
The organization further criticized what it described as a pattern of repression by the police.
“In the past, protests have been restricted on the grounds of ‘faceless leadership.’ Yet, in this instance, where the leaders are identified and known, they have been detained instead of being granted permission. This sends a troubling message that the ‘faceless leaders’ narrative may merely be a pretext for banning protests altogether.”
The group labeled the arrests as “unlawful” and a “clear violation of their rights,” demanding the activists’ immediate and unconditional release. “Failure to do so will compel the Lawyers’ Society to invoke appropriate legal measures to secure their freedom,” the statement warned.
The Lawyers’ Society also urged authorities to protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and engage in constructive dialogue.
“The health of our democracy depends on the protection of civil liberties and the promotion of open discourse,” the statement concluded.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Sierra Leone Police regarding the accusations or the status of the detained activists.
