Dear friends and family,
As a concerned citizen of this great nation who hails from the soils of Sierra Leone, West Africa, I care deeply about democracy and human rights. I believe it is imperative to address the challenges faced by my country of origin, especially as one tasked with being a caretaker of democracy within the United States. President Roosevelt once said "We must be the great arsenal of democracy. For us, this is an emergency as serious as war itself." A Democratic government should be of the people, by the people and for the people, but that is not the case in Sierra Leone today.
Recently, Sierra Leone held elections that have been labeled as "flawed" by the Carter Center and have raised significant concerns about the integrity of the democratic process. The head of the EU observer mission has called for transparent voter ballot polling station by station. As leaders coordinating advocacy efforts in the United States, we firmly believe it is the responsibility of the global community, especially the United States, as a champion of democratic values, to reassess its relationship with Sierra Leone's illegitimate government and take decisive action.
To this effect, we call for the adoption of a resolution that expresses the dissatisfaction of the United States, the global community, and the people of Sierra Leone regarding the violation of human rights and the lack of protection for its citizens by the government. In addition, we propose the implementation of travel bans, asset freezes, and the suspension of all funding through institutions such as the IMF, WB, MCC, and others. These measures will serve as a powerful statement, demonstrating that Sierra Leone's government disregard for the rights and well-being of its people will not be tolerated.
We demand for no more senseless killings or arbitrary arrests. Sierra Leoneans, along with the rest of the world, deserve the protection of their human rights and the opportunity to participate in free and fair elections, enabling them to choose their leaders democratically. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the voices of the people are heard and that their rights are upheld.
We invite you to join us in supporting a resolution that upholds democracy not only in Sierra Leone, but worldwide. Together, we can work towards a future where all individuals have their voices heard, regardless of their race, gender, religion, political affiliations or socio-economic background. It is our firm belief that a strong, democratic process across the globe benefits us all and paves the way for a brighter society and future generations.
Please take the time to explore the provided links for more information on Sierra Leone's election and the ongoing concerns we share:
- U.S. Department of State — On Sierra Leone's Election
- European Parliament Document
- The Guardian — Sierra Leone election report
- U.S. Department of State — Human Rights Report: Sierra Leone
- Reuters — Election observers flag statistical inconsistencies
- Council on Foreign Relations — Addressing Election Integrity in Sierra Leone
- The Carter Center — Sierra Leone statement
- U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee — Statement on recent elections
- The New York Times — Sierra Leone election coverage
- Sahara Reporters — Sierra Leone post-election report
Together, let us stand for a world that is equitable, free, fair, inclusive and democratic in every way possible. We kindly request your support in our mission to ensure the protection of human rights and the promotion of democratic processes in Sierra Leone and beyond.
Sincerely,
Madam Franca Jalloh
An Attack on Democracy Anywhere, is an Attack on Democracy Everywhere!