Abdul M. Fatoma

It is a profound failure of our legal system when over 500 individuals are currently held in correctional services without an indictment or under the guise of "safe custody." Even more heart-wrenching: 8 children under the age of two are growing up behind bars, effectively serving time for circumstances they didn't create. •No charges. •No trial. •No freedom. We cannot claim to value human rights while hundreds languish in legal limbo and infants start their lives in detention. We need transparency, urgent judicial review, and a commitment to basic human dignity. It’s time to clear the backlog and protect the innocent. #JusticeReform #HumanRights #LegalSystem #SocialJustice

"🚨 Opportunity Alert! 🚨 Recent law grads, here's a chance to kickstart your career in human rights! We're looking for a driven individual to join our team as a Legal and Human Rights Intern. 💼 Gain practical experience in: ✅ Human rights advocacy ✅ Legal research and analysis ✅ Policy development ✅ Community engagement Apply now and be part of promoting justice and equality! 📢 #HumanRightsIntern #LawGrad #JobOpportunity #SierraLeone"

We at CHRDI strongly condemn today's actions by the law enforcement agents in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This afternoon, officers unlawfully demanded citizens' national ID cards in public spaces at the Youyi Building. Police lack the authority to require identification without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. That unlawful police action undermines legal standards and violates fundamental rights to privacy and freedom of movement. Such practices erode public trust, creating an environment of fear rather than safety. We call on the Sierra Leone Police to cease these unlawful actions and implement comprehensive training to ensure proper identity checks. Officers must be held accountable for human rights violations, irrespective of superior orders. As we work towards strengthening democracy and good governance, we encourage all citizens to follow the rule of law and address grievances peacefully. We also advocate for public education on rights regarding identity checks and urge citizens and civil society groups to condemn these practices and demand accountability from law enforcement officials. Together, we can build a fairer society where justice prevails. @MusaSidyaKay @LibertyOnlineTV @sierraeyesalone @awokonewspaper

Press freedom is a fundamental right, and journalists should have the environment to practice their trade. Yesterday, our chief executive was present with the Chairman of the Guild of Editors during his lengthy questioning by police officers at the Cyber Unit. He was there to monitor and ensure the journalist Thomas Dixon’s human rights were respected. The private mining company Leone Rock complained to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding issues of “cyberbullying and stalking”, according to the police, in response to a news alert published by the journalist.

Legal Internship Opportunity in Freetown!
Are you a recent law graduate passionate about human rights and governance?
Join CHRDI for a 3–6 month internship and gain hands-on experience in legal research, advocacy, and policy work. 📍 Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
📅 Deadline: 16 September 2025
📧 Apply: info@chrdi.org 
🔗 More info: chrdi.org
#CHRDIInternship #HumanRightsLaw #LegalCareers #FreetownOpportunities

Concerning reports of individuals being detained in police cells without due process. Everyone deserves fair treatment & access to justice. Let's advocate for human rights & police accountability #JusticeForAll #HumanRights #PoliceAccountability"

Human rights activist, and Chief Executive of @chrdiorg, Abdul Fatoma, says sanitation in Police stations is seriously poor. “The places (Police cells) stink,” he said, on the Truth Morning Devotion. More on the video 👇🎥 #TruthTellers #NarTrueDaeLas

Our chief executive was on air today

The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) monitored 5,643 individuals in Freetown police cells from April to August 2025, revealing a stark gender disparity with 5,197 males and only 446 females, highlighting potential biases in detention practices. Data from the pie charts indicates 40% of youths and adults were over-detained, exceeding legal limits, which aligns with a 2023 Sierra Leone study by Prison Watch showing 60% of pretrial detainees faced delays averaging two to three years due to judicial inefficiencies. The CHRDI's self-funded initiative, operating amid Sierra Leone's reported human rights challenges like overcrowding and poor cell conditions (per the 2025 U.S. State Department report), underscores a critical grassroots effort to address systemic issues often overlooked by international mechanisms.

It was great to meet @KYumkella this afternoon. We had a productive discussion about climate governance, justice, and action.

@chrdiorg's chief executive participated in a high-level African Union meeting in Equatorial Guinea, where civil society leaders, government officials, and various development partners discussed critical issues related to peace and security in Africa, governance, accountability, and transparency. @amfatoms was featured in two panel discussions: "Reimagining Global Governance: Elevating Africa's Voice in UN Reform" and "Fiscal Justice, Transparency, and Illicit Financial Flows in Africa."

This morning, I attended a Digital Policy Engagement Series at the New Brookfields hotel organised by MRCG and their partner PIN, where I presented on access to information and data protection.@Mrcgsl

CHRDI, in partnership with the SLP, will train 70 police officers on Human Rights in Law Enforcement: Best Practices and Principles on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Freetown.

Sierra Leone Judiciary continues to face trust hemorrhage as local civil society organization @chrdiorg highlights perceived bias and corruption, lack of transparency and accountability, inefficient and delay-prone justice system among others @JudiciaryofSL @USEmbFreetown @UKinSierraLeone @ECOWAS @julius_maadabio @oagmoj2023