The West Africa Network of Activists and Media Defence Lawyers (WANAMDEL) has issued a strong warning over Sierra Leone’s proposed Counter-Terrorism Bill, 2024, describing it as a serious threat to basic rights and freedoms under the cover of national security.
In a statement released on Thursday, 15th May 2025, the regional legal network acknowledged the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens but criticized the bill’s vague wording and broad definitions. WANAMDEL argued that this lack of precision could open the door to misuse, allowing authorities to suppress dissent, silence journalists, and penalize peaceful civic engagement. It cited the inclusion of terms such as “intimidation of the public” and “undermining public safety” as particularly problematic.
“This lack of clarity creates serious risks of misuse, potentially criminalizing activities such as investigative journalism, peaceful demonstrations, whistleblowing, and critical commentary on governance,” the group stated from Accra.
WANAMDEL, which brings together 14 human rights lawyers from across West Africa, pointed specifically to Sections 12, 15, and 21 of the bill as lacking the necessary protections for journalists, civil society representatives, and academics. These groups, the network stressed, play vital roles in promoting transparency and accountability in democratic societies.
The group also highlighted the bill’s potential to violate both domestic and international legal standards. It referenced Section 25(1) of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, along with relevant provisions of international law, including Articles 19 and 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Beyond the bill’s definitions, WANAMDEL raised concerns about its procedural flaws, noting the absence of judicial oversight, the application of strict liability for crimes that typically require intent, and the possibility of life imprisonment as a penalty. It said these features raise major legal and ethical concerns and could undermine both constitutional rights and the rule of law.
With Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions still in a fragile state, WANAMDEL warned that such a law could easily be turned into a tool for suppressing civic freedoms.
“The right of citizens to organize, question authority, and participate in nation-building is integral to any democracy. Laws must be designed not to stifle this participation, but to enhance civic responsibility and strengthen social cohesion,” the statement added.
WANAMDEL is urging the Sierra Leonean government to revise the bill to meet international human rights standards.
Among the group’s key recommendations are adopting a clear, violence-based definition of terrorism, introducing protections for journalists, rights defenders, and peaceful protesters, ensuring judicial oversight of counter-terrorism procedures, and amending any sections of the bill that contradict the 1991 Constitution.
The network was founded by the Media Foundation for West Africa to provide legal support for journalists, activists, and media organizations. Its members represent a wide cross-section of West African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Togo.
