ADHRJUST-S/L ESTABLISHES TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE CLINIC IN NORTHERN SIERRA LEONE
The main objective is to provide clinical TJ education to students and members of the general public in Makeni city.
ADHRJUST-S/L, with its project titled ‘Youth Arise for Transitional Justice and Accountability’, is working with young rural people to nurse TJ knowledge in selected learning institutions in the Northern Region as a way of addressing the ever-expanding gap of knowledge on transitional justice among young people in Sierra Leone.
Sheik Abass U. Thullah, Chief Executive Officer of ADHRJUST-S/L told the MRCG that the initiative which is Sierra Leone’s first TJ clinic established in the country, seeks to promote social cohesion, knowledge cultivation and transfer of TJ knowledge to create awareness to members of the public through community radio programs in and around Bombali District. He also stated that they are working with youth groups to establish youth clubs within Makeni and its environs in order to foster learning sessions among students and young people outside of the university to encourage the introduction of TJ issues in university and school programs.
He noted that few challenges were encountered during the implementation of the project which involved having the required number of participants that were needed to be part of theatre group performances, signing of the MoU between ADHRJUST-S/L and EBKUST, public lectures and other limited meetings due to the existence of the COVID-19.
Mentioning some of the successes achieved and impact created, Mr Thullah stated that: “So far we have been able to sign an MoU with the EBKUST, mobilized and recruited thirty (30) TJ clinical students (20 females, 10 males and a Coordinator), produced and distributed audio-visual contents of TJ clinical IEC materials (handbills, bill boards, posters, facemasks, t-shirts, and caps), increased public knowledge on TJ issues and overall, the establishment of TJ clinic at EBKUST.”
Mr Thullah expressed that the key lessons learnt in their project implementation were that there was little knowledge on transitional justice among students; many youths lack TJ knowledge and are excluded from platforms that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to sustaining peace in the region; and that many youths are still being used as political thugs during elections and as agents of destabilization.
Mr Thullah called on government to support the TJ clinic established and to replicate such across other universities, and to introduce transitional justice in school curriculum. He expressed hope for ATLF’s continued support so as to continue building on the successes they have made so far.