Situation of human rights in Sierra Leone.

The Commission on Human Rights,

Having examined the material relating to the human rights situation in Sierra Leone brought before it under Economic and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) of 27 May 1970,

Noting the observations received from the Government of Sierra Leone,

Recalling Security Council resolution 1181 (1998) of 13 July 1998, by which it established the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone whose civilian staff would, inter alia, report on violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in Sierra Leone and, in consultation with the relevant United Nations agencies, assist the Government of Sierra Leone in its efforts to address the country's human rights needs, Alarmed by the reports of the Secretary-General on UNOMSIL which disclose horrifying violations of human rights and international humanitarian law,

Expressing concern regarding the continuing human rights abuses committed in Sierra Leone as reported in various reports submitted to the Commission on Human Rights,

Considering that the procedure governed by Economic and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) does not provide an appropriate forum to address the dramatic circumstances facing this country,

Acting under paragraph 8 of Economic and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII),

1. Appeals to all factions and forces in Sierra Leone to respect human rights and abide by applicable international humanitarian law;

2. Reminds all factions and forces in Sierra Leone that in any armed conflict, including an armed conflict not of an international character, the taking of hostages, wilful killing and torture or inhuman treatment of persons taking no active part in the hostilities constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law, and that all countries are under the obligation to search for persons alleged to have committed, or to have ordered to be committed, such grave breaches and to bring such persons, regardless of their nationality, before their own courts;

3. Decides to discontinue consideration of the human rights situation in Sierra Leone under Economic and Social Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) and to take up consideration of the matter under the public procedure provided for by Commission resolution 8 (XXIII) of 16 March 1967 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1235 (XLII) of 6 June 1967, under the agenda item entitled "Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world", at its fifty-sixth session;

4. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to apprise the Commission at its fifty-sixth session of the reports of the Secretary-General about violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Sierra Leone, including, to the extent possible, references contained in reports submitted to the Commission on Human Rights;

5. Decides that the present decision, adopted at the Commission's 16th (closed) meeting, on 6 April 1999, be made public as resolution 1999/1 of the Commission's fifty-fifth session.

16th (closed) meeting
6 April 1999

[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]

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