On Saturday 15 November hundreds of young people took to the streets of the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, in the name of youth justice. They called on their Government to respect the laws of the new Child Rights Act that was launched a few days later.
The young people from local YMCAs, schools and other organisations assembled outside the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs. A young YMCA volunteer addressed the crowd by reminding them of the number of young people unjustly held behind bars.
A procession then formed, accompanied by the rousing music of the Prince of Wales and High School brass bands. With their banners and placards the campaigners marched through the capital’s main streets to the National Stadium where they were invited into the Presidential lounge to hear statements from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.
“The Solidarity Day march in Sierra Leone has helped immensely to raise awareness about youth justice issues,” said OB Sandy, young coordinator of the campaign. “It has created a platform for youths to vent their views on the injustices faced by young people in Sierra Leone and other parts of the world.”
Earlier that morning, Youth Justice in Action campaigners had spoken out in a radio discussion on the popular station ‘Radio Mount Aureol’. The topic up for debate was ‘Youths and the rule of law in Sierra Leone, the way forward.’ The activists highlighted the plight of young offenders locked up with adults in the country’s jails and the importance of fair and speedy trials. They also argued for improvements in social services provided to young detainees and for more investment in programmes that support young people on their release from prison.
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