By Nafisatu Olayinka Deen
Freetown, 8th April 2026- Police torture in custody and prolonged detention remain serious violations of human rights, condemned under both international and national law. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has long emphasized that every individual deserves dignity, while transitional justice frameworks insist on confronting violence in all its forms.
For Sulaiman Dumbuya, that principle was far from reality. He recounted being beaten by police over what he described as a minor issue. “I parked my bike in the wrong area and was arrested. When I asked why, I was slapped and no one told me my crime. I only realized after hours of detention,” he said.
His story echoes findings by the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI). Its Chief Executive, Abdul M. Fatoma, told Truth Media that monitoring of police cells revealed disturbing accounts of detainees being beaten and tortured. “There is national and international law that prohibits torture or inhumane treatment. Whether convicted or not, no one should be subjected to torture,” Fatoma stressed.
He explained that CHRDI has been training police officers to better understand human rights, noting that many lack awareness. “Our findings show a high sense of limited knowledge on human rights. We are working to help the police respect and observe the rights of accused persons,” he said, adding that the Inspector General of Police has acknowledged the issue and promised reforms.
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has also repeatedly raised concerns. At the 14th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions in 2024, Vice Chairperson Victor I. Lansana Esq. admitted that the Commission had received numerous complaints of torture and ill-treatment. “While prohibited under the nation’s constitution, there is no law in Sierra Leone that makes torture a specific and punishable crime,” he noted.
Ordinary citizens continue to bear the brunt of these abuses. Abdulai Samai recalled being arrested for loitering and witnessing police brutality against two couples who were beaten simply for questioning their arrest. “The action of the police officers was not humane. I long for a society free of intimidation and torture,” he said.
As Sierra Leone grapples with strengthening its justice system, these testimonies highlight the urgent need for reforms that prioritize human dignity. Civil society groups insist that awareness, training, and legal accountability must go hand in hand to end torture in custody and restore public trust in law enforcement.
This story is brought to you with support from the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) through the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), under the project ‘Engaging Media and Communities to Change the Narrative on Transitional Justice Issues in Sierra Leone.’
