We at @chrdiorg are excited about our partnership with California Strategic Growth. We eagerly anticipate welcoming our Fulbright specialist for the second time in just 24 months. A huge thank you to the U.S. State Department for their incredible support! The possibilities ahead are exciting! @CalSGC @FulbrightPrgrm @USEmbFreetown @USStateDepartm2

Today, we @chrdiorg engaged the last set of public institutions regarding the draft data protection bill in Sierra Leone. It has been a successful effort involving institutions from the public, private, and voluntary sectors, as well as our outreach to four communities and university students. This initiative was made possible by the financial support of our partner, ACCESS NOW USA. @accessnow @MoiceComm @Cee_Bah @UNDPSierraLeone @IrlEmbFreetown @chrdiorg

Today, we @chrdiorg convened a Focus Group Discussion with media and civil society representatives on the draft Data Protection Bill. This event facilitated meaningful engagement with stakeholders and provided an opportunity to gather valuable insights and perspectives on the proposed legislation. The discussions proved productive and fostered constructive exchanges of ideas. @accessnow @MoiceComm @UNDPSierraLeone @IrlEmbFreetown @Cee_Bah

RT @Concordtimes: February 3 - Headlines #BreakingNews #Freetown #MamaSalone #SaloneTwitter

Today, as part of our ongoing advocacy campaign regarding the draft Data Protection Bill, @chrdiorg engaged with banks, insurance companies, telecommunications companies, the West Africa Examination Council, and the healthcare sector. @chrdiorg believes the private sector plays a vital role in data protection by adopting strong privacy practices, complying with data protection laws, and working with the authorities to create a comprehensive framework. This collaboration safeguards citizen privacy while enabling a secure digital environment for business growth. @accessnow @MoiceComm @IrlEmbFreetown @UNDPSierraLeone @Cee_Bah

Today, we @chrdiorg ’re engaging with University of Sierra Leone students about the Draft Data Protection Bill. Students tackle data privacy challenges like engineers design secure systems. Understanding the regulatory framework and choosing reliable tools are crucial. Educating students strengthen our defences, while monitoring data practices ensures adaptability. Leverage data for engagement and use analytics for informed strategies. Balance privacy with transparency by harmonising security with open communication. This engagement is part of our advocacy campaign for the Draft Data Protection Bill in Sierra Leone.@accessnow @MoiceComm @UNDPSierraLeone @IrlEmbFreetown @Cee_Bah

CHRDI Hosts High-Level Dialogue on Sierra Leone’s Draft Data Protection Bill

This morning, as part of the @chrdiorg advocacy campaign for the draft data protection bill, we engaged with the parliamentary committee, government ministries, the SLP, RSLAF, the Human Rights Commission, and the Right to Access to Information Commission in a stakeholder session.@accessnow @MoiceComm @Cee_Bah @UNDPSierraLeone @IrlEmbFreetown

Today's update: We are pleased to announce our engagement with the Jui and Wilberforce communities as part of our ongoing initiative to discuss the draft of the data protection bill. We highly value the public's insights and contributions, as they are essential in fostering a comprehensive understanding and enhancing awareness of this critical legislation about data protection.@chrdiorg @accessnow @MoiceComm @Cee_Bah

Today, we @chrdiorg are in the vibrant Lumley community, engaging with residents as part of our public advocacy efforts concerning the proposed Data Protection Bill. We aim to listen to their insights, answer their questions, and foster a meaningful dialogue about the importance of data privacy and protection in our increasingly digital world.@accessnow @Cee_Bah @MoiceComm

As part of our digital governance program, we are advocating for the possible passing of the Data Protection Bill into law. Data protection and privacy are fundamental human rights that concern us all, in our private lives as well as in our work lives, as individuals and as organisations. The right to privacy is recognised in Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other international and regional human rights instruments.@accessnow @MoiceComm @IrlEmbFreetown @UNDPSierraLeone

Today, our organisation @chrdiorg participated in the inaugural technical working group meeting for the draft data protection bill established by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. @MoiceComm Our involvement is part of our advocacy campaign to urge the government to enact this draft bill. The Minister @Cee_Bah expressed the government's commitment to this initiative and indicated a willingness to enact the bill within the next three months. The meeting in the ministry conference room served as an opportunity for stakeholder engagement.

This morning, our Chief Executive @amfatoms met with @Cee_Bah the Minister of Information and Civic Education to discuss the data protection bill and its status. The Chief Executive highlighted CHRDI's advocacy campaign and efforts to raise awareness about data protection rights and its economic benefits. Once enacted, the Minister “acknowledged the bill's importance in protecting women's and girls' data”. CHRDI will continue to engage with stakeholders and citizens on the need for a data protection law in a democratic society. @accessnow

We are preparing to launch our initiative on "Promoting Citizen Space in Sierra Leone - Empowering Voices" @chrdiorg . Civic space is fundamental to a healthy democracy and the promotion of human rights. An open civic space enables individuals and civil society organisations (CSOs) to freely express their opinions, engage in public discourse, and advocate for social change. @USEmbFreetown @EUinSierraLeone @IrlEmbFreetown @USAID @UNDPSierraLeone @FCSTZ @ClintonFdn @macfound @CivilSociety_UN @Cee_Bah

*CHRDI, EU Delegation Discuss Human Rights and Democracy in Sierra Leone* 👇🏿👇🏿

This morning, 06/01/25, the Chief Executive @amfatoms of CHRDI, the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Sierra Leone, and the Programme Manager for Governance and Civil Society at the EU office in Freetown held a meeting at our @chrdiorg office. Our leader @amfatoms and the @EUinSierraLeone representatives discussed issues related to human rights and democracy, emphasising the universality and indivisibility of human rights. They also discussed our upcoming Civic Space initiative. Building a partnership with the @EUinSierraLeone is beneficial for our organisation, and we look forward to collaborating with the @EUinSierraLeone delegation in Sierra Leone on human rights and governance issues, said @amfatoms. Overall, it was a productive meeting between the organisations.

The organisation reached out to the Inspector General (IG) of the Sierra Leone Police this afternoon after several attempts to contact journalist Thomas Dixton regarding a threat to his safety. The organisation also communicated with the President and the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ). The IG assured us that he would not order the arrest of Thomas Dixton and would make further efforts to reach out to him. He later called to inform our Chief Executive that he could not contact Thomas through his usual phone number. We subsequently updated the SLAJ President about this situation. The government's role is to promote and fulfil the rights of its citizens. The role of the police is to ensure the safety of citizens, not to instil fear or insecurity.