Human Rights Developments

Defending Human Rights

The Role of the International Community

ECOWAS and ECOMOG
Following the 1997 coup, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional order to Sierra Leone. With the failure of diplomatic efforts and the escalation of tension, ECOMOG’s mandate was upgraded from sanction enforcement to actual military intervention, resulting in the ousting of the AFRC/RUF in February. The Nigerian-dominated ECOMOG contingent in Sierra Leone was composed of approximately 9,000 troops, including support battalions from Guinea and Ghana. ECOMOG’s intervention in Sierra Leone came at a time of sharp international criticism of Nigeria’s domestic human rights situation.

While residents of Freetown and Sierra Leonean refugees consistently stated that ECOMOG’s role in ousting the AFRC/RUF and enabling a return to civilian rule was welcome, international humanitarian groups complained that ECOMOG’s shelling of Freetown led to a high number of civilian casualties. Despite these serious allegations, much of the Sierra Leonean press and international community praised ECOMOG, largely due to its military success in Sierra Leone and significant improvements in its conduct after its intervention in Liberia. ECOMOG also evacuated dozens of war victims via helicopter and road, saving many civilian lives. From February through May, however, ECOMOG and Kamajor commandeering of humanitarian vehicles was blatant and frequent.

Misinformation regarding the security situation in Sierra Leone created serious risks for Sierra Leonean refugees, IDPs, and aid workers. ECOMOG, along with Sierra Leonean government and some U.N. officials, downplayed the capacity of the AFRC/RUF and at times portrayed the security conditions in Sierra Leone as safe and returning to normal in many districts. Refugees in Guinea claimed that dozens of refugees had been killed while attempting to return to the Koidu area in April. Their decision to repatriate was made following declarations on international radio claiming the area was under the control of ECOMOG.
ECOMOG’s mandate included the key responsibilities of disarming and demobilizing combatants as well as forming and training the new Sierra Leonean army. ECOMOG commander Maxwell Khobe and President Kabbah stated that the new army would be ethnically and regionally balanced. ECOMOG’s past human rights record in Liberia and subsequent problems, however, underscored the need for UNOMSIL to provide assistance and closely monitor the disarmament, demobilization, and training processes to ensure that the new army would be founded upon principles of respect for international humanitarian law.

United Nations
On July 13, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a measure to establish the United Nations Observer Mission to Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL), subsuming and expanding the office of the U.N. Special Envoy to Sierra Leone. UNOMSIL’s terms of reference included monitoring and helping ECOMOG with the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Program (DDRP) for combatants; reporting on the security situation; and “monitoring respect for international humanitarian law at disarmament and demobilization sites.” The World Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and other donors agreed to fund the DDRP. The U.N. Security Council resolution further mandated UNOMSIL to report on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in Sierra Leone, and to assist the government with rebuilding institutions of justice. A human rights advisor to the U.N. special representative monitored the human rights situation throughout the country and began to develop technical assistance and education programs to respond to Sierra Leone’s long-term institution-building needs.

United Nations officials repeatedly denounced the human rights situation in Sierra Leone and several agencies sent high-level delegations to the region. On June 18, five senior U.N. officials issued an unprecedented joint statement calling for an end to the atrocities and impunity, and underscoring the need for an International Criminal Court to hold perpetrators accountable for atrocities.

Among other U.N. initiatives for human rights and civic education, UNDP approved a $2.5 million support program in June to the government’s National Commission on Democracy and Human Rights to promote reconciliation, forgiveness, and civic education. In conjunction with the U.N. special representative to Sierra Leone, the U.N. special representative for children in armed conflict, and the Sierra Leonean government, UNICEF created a joint task force for the demobilization of child combatants and other measures to protect the rights of children.

On July 29, the U.N. Department of Political Affairs organized a Special Conference on Sierra Leone, chaired by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to solicit support for the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program; humanitarian and rehabilitation needs; and ECOMOG. High-level delegations to the conference drew attention to the horrific human rights situation in Sierra Leone, but failed to offer concrete support for human rights initiatives. Several delegations, including the U.K., pledged limited support for ECOMOG and UNOMSIL, and suggested that the U.K. initiate a contact group of donor states and regional players to coordinate assistance to Sierra Leone. This contact group was scheduled to meet in early November.

The European Union, United States, and United Kingdom
On May 21, 1998, denouncing AFRC/RUF atrocities, the U.S. Department of State and the European Union (E.U.) issued a joint statement which called for “an immediate end to the senseless slaughter, mutilation, and torture of the civilian population and show full respect for human rights.” In June, the U.S. and E.U. sent a joint high-level assessment mission to the region led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Julia Taft which resulted in financial pledges for humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.

Through the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), the E.U. had since 1993 contributed over 20 million ECU (U.S. $22 million) and in July was considering an additional 6 million ECU (U.S. $6.6 million) global aid package for assistance to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The European Commission, a long-term supporter of development activities and infrastructure projects in Sierra Leone, reiterated its past pledges of several hundred million ECUs over the next ten years.

Both the U.S. and U.K. played significant roles in political and military developments. The U.S. was the single largest donor in response to the Sierra Leonean crisis, having contributed or pledged $72.5 million in humanitarian and other aid during fiscal year 1998, including support for ECOMOG. Through its Office of Transition Initiatives, the U.S. is providing $900,000 in programs for war-affected children, the reintegration of former combatants, and to promote reconciliation. The British led fund-raising efforts at the European Union for the 1996 elections, ECOMOG, and other assistance. In May, the U.S. State Department announced $3.9 million for logistical support to ECOMOG. The U.K. contributed £2 million (U.S. $ 3.3 million) to a U.N. trust fund for peacekeeping activities in Sierra Leone, £1.5 million of which was committed to support for ECOMOG. In July, the U.K. also pledged £6.5 million for the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program.

A scandal broke out in early May when the U.K. media exposed an arms shipment to ECOMOG from Sandline, a private security firm based in the U.K. The secret shipment of approximately thirty-two tons of arms, allegedly delivered in February with the consent of the British government, appeared to violate U.N. and U.K. arms embargos against Sierra Leone. U.N. legal analysts subsequently determined that the embargo had not been violated, and on June 5, the U.N. Security Council lifted the arms embargo except as it applied to the AFRC/RUF.

Relevant Human Rights Watch report:
Sierra Leone-Sowing Terror: Atrocities against Civilians in Sierra Leone, 7/98