The Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Desmond Babatunde has a call for the establishment5 of a Special Court to address HIV/AIDS violations.

He was speaking at the official opening of a two-day engagement on HIV, Human right and social justice in a bid to Combat Stigma and Promote HIV/AIDS Awareness in the country.

The engagement was organised by the National HIV and AIDS Secretariat and Partners in collaboration with the Judiciary of Sierra Leone on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th November 2023 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown.

The Chief Justice His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards called on all stakeholders to collaborate and support the judiciary to set up special court that will be dedicated to addressing HIV and AIDS related human right violations.

He also congratulated NAS and it partners for helping in the resources development and capacity building of judges and magistrates and staff of the judiciary.

Speaking at the engagement the Director General of the National HIV and AIDS Secretariat Abdul Rahman Sesay stated the engagement aimed at providing insights into the challenges faced by key populations and other vulnerable groups in their respective communities.

Abdul Rahman Sesay emphasized involving Judicial Officers in these efforts could lead to the establishment of a Special Court or expedite the enforcement of laws to prosecute those who stigmatize persons living with HIV-AIDS.

On his part the US Ambassador to Sierra Leone Bryan Hunt acknowledged the engagement is his first time seeing the judiciary taking a leading role in sorting out issues of discrimination against persons living with HIV.

Ambassador Hunt assured the United States is in solidarity with all individuals affected by HIV AIDS, adding they are advocating for a world were dignity, equality and justice prevail