Human Rights Watch Honors Sierra Leonean Advocate (Human Rights Watch Press release, New York, November 13, 2000)

Human Rights Watch Honors Sierra Leonean Advocate

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Press Release, November 13, 2000

(New York, November 13, 2000) On Tuesday, November 14, Human Rights Watch will give its highest recognition to Abdul Tejan-Cole, a leading human rights lawyer in Sierra Leone. In the midst of Sierra Leone=s brutal civil war, Mr. Tejan-Cole condemned abuses by all armed forces -- pro-government, as well as rebel factions. He has worked tirelessly in a deadly environment to denounce human rights violations and to turn the international spotlight to Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone's nine-year civil war has been characterized by unspeakable brutality. War crimes of the worst type have been systematically perpetrated against civilians of all ages. Abuses committed by all forces involved in the conflict include abducting children, raping young girls, cutting off arms and legs of civilians, and murder. Abdul Tejan-Cole is working to bring the perpetrators of these brutal abuses to justice.

The 2000 Human Rights Watch Annual Dinners in New York and Los Angeles will honor five human rights defenders from around the world. Through their perseverance these individuals fought for justice in Sierra Leone, Jordan, India, Russia, and China. Often, they risk their lives to defend their fellow citizens from abusive governments and armed forces. Human Rights Watch works with these brave individuals as part of our defense of human rights in more than 70 countries around the world.

Human Rights Watch is a non-profit, international monitoring group with headquarters in New York. It accepts no financial support from any government, directly or indirectly.

Background on Abdul Tejan-Cole Mr. Tejan-Cole is a prominent human rights lawyer in Sierra Leone, representing clients whose human rights and civil liberties have been violated. He is the human rights officer for Sierra Leone's Campaign for Good Governance and is also the coordinator of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights in Sierra Leone, an organization that educates and advocates to promote fundamental human rights. Abdul's work during the on-going civil war in Sierra Leone has been brave and instrumental in bringing the gross human rights violations and atrocities to the world's attention. For more on abuses in Sierra Leone, please go to: http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/sleone/

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