CHRDI · News

PRISON MONITORING REPORT: ARBITRARY DETENTION IN FREETOWN

481 LOCKED UP. NEVER CHARGED.

On 14 October, CHRDI's prison monitoring team at the Freetown Male Correctional Centre found 481 inmates held without indictment - no charge sheet, no trial date, no day in court.

This is not remand. This is arbitrary detention and punishment without trial.

It violates:

• Sec. 23 & 17 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Presumption of Innocence & Personal Liberty)
• Art. 9 ICCPR - Right to liberty, prohibition of arbitrary detention
• Art. 6 & 7 ACHPR - Right to fair trial and human dignity
• Mandela Rules 11 & 90 - Unconvicted prisoners must be presumed innocent

A justice system that warehouses people for months and years without indicting them has abandoned the Rule of Law.

CHRDI DEMANDS:

1. Immediate indictment or release of all 481 detainees
2. Speedy, fair trial as guaranteed by law
3. Legal aid for every detainee
4. Urgent case review by the Judiciary & DPP
5. End to prolonged remand and systemic trial delays

Detention without charge is punishment without trial. Liberty is a constitutional right — not a privilege.

INDICT THEM OR FREE THEM.