After months of work and preparation, the lawsuit challenging the criminal libel and sedition laws of Sierra Leone has now been filed with the Supreme Court of that country. This challenge is the first of its kind in West Africa, and if won, will start to change the culture of this area concerning the ability of journalists and citizens to criticize their government.
This matter was one that I addressed with the Minister of Information of that country on Nov 14. At that time, he encouraged the bringing of this suit and indicated that a serious review of the new democratic regime's position on this repressive law. Our challenge is based on the point that this law is unconstitutional and should thus be stricken. The Supreme Court will now schedule the case for argument sometime in the months ahead assuming that the govt actually decides to oppose our position.
Stay tuned...
Sunday, March 9, 2008
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