EU Delegation, CSOs, and Partners Emphasise Need to Protect Democratic Freedoms

The European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone commemorated International Human Rights Day with a round-table event at Leicester Peak in Freetown with the theme “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials”.
Hosted in partnership with International IDEA and BBC Media Action, the gathering provided a platform for civil society organisations (CSOs), media practitioners, human rights defenders, and other rights actors to assess the current state of freedoms and discuss the challenges shaping human rights work.
EU Ambassador Jacek Jankowski opened the session by recalling that the UN Charter will be 80 years old in 2025, a milestone that he said comes at a critical time for the fundamental principles it enshrines. “Those principles are now under the heaviest fire since their inception,” he warned, emphasising human rights’ universality and indivisibility as the foundation of democracy and the protection of human dignity.
Ambassador Jankowski identified a number of growing threats to democratic governance and civic space, including declining public trust in democratic institutions, growing hostility toward democratic norms, shrinking space for fundamental freedoms, and the spread of disinformation and information manipulation. He also noted a concerning backlash against advances in gender equality and diversity.
In redefining peace, the Ambassador stated, “Peace is not simply the absence of war. It is the active pursuit of justice, the protection of the most vulnerable, the realisation of all human rights, and the dedication to dialogue and reconciliation.” He praised Sierra Leone’s Agreement for National Unity and recent electoral reforms as crucial steps toward maintaining peace and strengthening democratic processes.
Key round-table participants echoed calls for ongoing engagement and vigilance. Dr Idriss Mamoud Tarawallie of International IDEA advocated for ongoing dialogue with civil society, describing it as a critical tool for conflict prevention, peace consolidation, and good governance promotion. Musa Sangarie of BBC Media Action emphasised the importance of freedom of expression and a safe, professional press for human rights, warning that misinformation and disinformation seriously undermine trust in journalism and democratic institutions.
Other participants, including representatives from Independent Radio Network (IRN), Talking Drum Studios, National Elections Watch, and the 50/50 Group, shared practical success stories that demonstrated how EU assistance has helped to strengthen democratic participation, advance gender equality, and empower communities throughout Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Jankowski concluded the event by reaffirming the EU’s unwavering commitment to advancing human rights, strengthening democratic values, and supporting the critical work of civil society organisations in Sierra Leone as they face today’s complex challenges.