Although it is a fact that there is freedom of association, this freedom is restricted in certain instances and as such certain control measures are put in place by public authorities over the activities of these associations in the interest of the safety and morality of the general public. For example, the registration of associations or organisations such as cults is not permitted by the Ministry of Social Welfare. The Police has in place restrictive measures to regulate meetings, thanksgivings, rallies etc. to prevent chaos in the interest of public safety and public peace. For political parties, the laws governing their establishment, registration regulation and conduct pursuant to section 33 and 34 of the Constitution, are enshrined in the Political Parties Registration Act No. 3 of 2003. In addition, the Constitution protects the right to belong to a political party. Before the Act No6 of 1991, Sierra Leone was a one party state. Under this system of government, only one party, the All People’s Congress (APC) was in operation. In 1991, the enactment of the 1991 constitution gave access to democracy. Following the 1991 Constitution, there was a proposed multi party election which did not hold as a result of a military coup by the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). During the period of preparing for the multi party elections, in 1992, various political parties (totalling 23) were formed. The elections were disrupted by the military coup. In 1996, Sierra Leone returned to democracy and multi party elections were held. Currently, there are in existence 26 political parties. The two main parties in Sierra Leone however are the Sierra Leone Peoples party (SLPP) and the All Peoples Congress (APC).. There are no prohibited political parties unless they do not conform to the provisions of the PPRC Act. The ten year civil war in Sierra Leone brought the emergence of several human rights organisations most of which are Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). There is an Association of Non Governmental Organisations (SLANGO) which regulates the activities of these NGOs. On its part, the Government established the National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights (NCDHR) in 1994, which prepared people for the democratisation process and also, looked into various human rights issues. In 1991, the Lome Peace agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the RUF called for the formation of a Human Rights Commission. This was restated in the Truth Reconciliation Commission recommendations of Sierra Leone. At present, Sierra Leone has in operation a Human Rights Commission, established by the Human Rights Commission Act of 2004. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2009 signed a Memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Integrated Peace Building Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) for the establishment of a Human Rights Secretariat for the discharge of all legal and other obligations relating to human rights owed by Sierra Leone either internationally or regionally. In addition, the right of individuals to form trade unions for the protection of their rights and interests is allowed. There are in existence active trade unions which protect the welfare of their workers such as the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, the Labour Congress, and Drivers Union. To protect this right, there are laws which regulate the formation of these unions. These include the Trade Union Act of 1962, the Regulations of wages and industrial relations Act of 1991, and the Trade Union Dispute Act of 1964. Such trade unions are relatively large in size and membership, with the following organisational structure: President – Executive – members. To ensure the free exercise of trade union rights and to implement the laws relating to trade union, the Industrial Court has been established. Sierra Leone as a member of the 15