Jurist Amnesty International calls for immediate release of Sierra Leone TV star detained for “Insulting” President

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Amnesty International on Thursday called on the authorities in Sierra Leone to release Hawa Hunt, a well-known Sierra Leonean-Canadian artist and reality television personality, who has been detained for more than a month on charges of insulting the President and First Lady.

Hunt, 42, was arrested on December 22, 2024, while appearing as a contestant on the popular reality show House of Stars. She now faces two counts of “transmitting insulting messages via a computer system” under Sierra Leone’s Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021. Prosecutors allege that a 25-minute social media video posted by Hunt, which went viral, incited public disorder and damaged the reputation of President Julius Maada Bio and his wife.

In a statement on Thursday, Michèle Eken, a senior researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa office, expressed concern over Hunt’s prolonged detention and urged authorities to adhere to international standards of due process and fair trial:

Hawa Hunt has now been detained for over a month. Her multiple requests for bail have been refused while her mental health is being affected, according to her lawyer. We call on the Sierra Leonean authorities to release Hawa Hunt and observe all due process guarantees for her in line with international standards, including her right to be brought in front of a court promptly. A criminal defendant may be detained pending trial only when necessary and proportionate to their offences, and non-custodial arrangements such as bail, should be preferred.

The Amnesty International researcher also raised concerns about the legislation under which Hunt has been charged:

Amnesty International has already expressed its concern about the law used to prosecute Hawa Hunt – the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021. Several cases of possible violations of the right to freedom of expression under the Cyber Security and Crime Act have previously been reported. Offences such as libel and defamation should be decriminalized. Sierra Leonean law should be brought into line with the country’s international human rights obligations.

Hunt’s arrest and detention have sparked debate over the scope of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Sierra Leone. The country’s 1991 Constitution guarantees protection for these fundamental rights. Section 25 provides that every citizen has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media. Section 26 further upholds the right to peaceful assembly, allowing citizens to gather and voice their concerns on issues affecting their lives.

Civil society groups argue that the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021, which introduced new offenses related to online conduct, may conflict with the spirit of these constitutional provisions when used to detain individuals for public criticism of government officials.

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