06/08/2026
HRCSL HOLDS CONSULTATIVE MEETING TO REVIEW BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING TOOL
Freetown 6th August 2026.
With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Irish Aid, the Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone (HRCSL) through the Directorate of Business and Human Rights has today 6th August 2026 launched a consultative meeting to review its Business and Human Rights Monitoring Tools.
The engagement, which took place at the Public Service Academy, brought together Government MDAs, the private sector, civil society, and the media.
The focus of the engagement was to identify the gaps that exist in the current document and proffer recommendations that reflect the current trends that have emerged over the years.
Speaking at the engagement, HRCSL'S Chairperson Madam Patricia Narsu Ndanema noted that pursuant to Section 7(2) (f) of the HRCSL Act 2004, the Commission is mandated to monitor, document, and report on human rights violations across the country.
She said that over the last 13 years, the business landscape has changed as new challenges like climate change, environmental damage, business-related displacement, and migration have shaped how companies operate and how rights are protected.
She notes that the review of these tools will ensure compliance by businesses, identify early risks, make evidence-based recommendations to government and companies, focus on workers’ rights including wages, working hours, non-discrimination, disability, PPE, and workplace health & safety.
She recognizes the important role businesses play in job creation and economic growth but at the same time she was concerned about the harm created by some business operations leading to oil spills and pollution; to poor waste management which affect the enjoyment of human rights particularly in the affected communities.
"Development must be measured not just by investment figures, but by how well it protects human dignity, decent work, and the environment," she concluded.
The engagement catered for two separate presentations one by the Director for Business and Human Rights Abdulai Yollah Bangura on introduction to Business and Human Rights and the other by the Executive Secretary Joseph Kamara on Business and Human Rights Monitoring Guidelines with the latter setting the pace for the review with five key thematic sections: employment practices, environment and communities, security, legal and government affairs, Contractors and supply chain.
The workshop was climaxed by presentations made by participants from work, and their recommendations were taken into consideration to inform the final validation of the reviewed document.
©️HRCSL Communications team
