new framework and market structure for the country’s electricity sector. The program was approved by MCC’s Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting in September. OBJECTIVE 3: Promotion of economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights as enshrined in the African and International Human Rights instruments Bullet Point 3: Re-integrate traditional courts and customary laws into the legal system in ways that protect and promote human rights and enhance rights enforcements in the rural areas by encouraging oversight over traditional justice mechanisms by civil law courts. 3.2.10 Code of Conduct and Services Standards for Paramount Chiefs and Revised Local Courts Act 2014 – these were steps taken primarily to address human rights issues of traditional courts in the country. Under the revised Local Courts Act 2014, 296 existing local courts are now placed under the jurisdiction of the judiciary headed by the Honourable Chief Justice The Judiciary has set up an Implementation Committee which did a Baseline Survey of the Local Courts country wide in order to be apprised of the existing structures, infrastructure, location etc. In March this year, the Honourable Chief Justice launched the New Local Courts in the Provincial Headquarters of Kenema, Bo and Makeni. Pending is the Swearing in of the members of the Local Courts Service Committee by His Excellency the President, the training of Members of the Committee, the hiring and training of the Chairmen and other officers of court. It is hoped that with the new set up of literate courtiers and court record keeping system, the customary laws will be codified. Additionally the Legal Aid Board was formed in 2012 to provide accessible, affordable, credible and sustainable legal aid services to indigent persons and other related matters. In a briefing to the President on Friday 7 August 2015 at State House, Freetown, His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma said the establishment of the Legal Aid Board is a step to ensure access to justice, and protecting the human rights of citizens of the country - a practice that is in line with democratic good governance. He reminded the board of its responsibility to not just concentrate on inmates 28 CLEAN UP THAT BACKLOG AND USE THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY WHEN NECESSARY. of correctional centers, but to also consider ordinary citizens in accessing justice. He urged the board to ensure that people are aware about the existence of the Legal Aid Board by embarking on massive sensitization across the country, pointing out the need to continue spot checks to correctional centres. He also mentioned the need to address the issue of those who have overstayed detention, and “clean up that backlog and use the prerogative of mercy when necessary.” Commenting on the significance of collaboration, His Excellency President Koroma stated that the local courts and paralegals must ensure that they are properly grounded on customary laws and the issues involved and also what it takes in trying to modernize the laws. He assured of government’s support and urged the board to heighten the board’s profile and make it relevant so that at the end of the day people feel secure and have confidence in the whole justice system. He also assured the board of his participation in the launching of the Legal Aid Board to help them in their sensitization and public education. The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board Madam Claire Carlton-Hanciles said their mandate covers the poor, accused persons, convicts and suspects. She expressed delight that Sierra Leone is also part of the Legal Aid Board and has piloted it into an act under the leadership of President Koroma. She explained that the board has been able to sign a partnership agreement with the Sierra Leone Bar Association so that lawyers will be able to represent accused persons, suspects and convicts. She furthered that they have been working with the correctional centers to meet international human rights standards and psychosocial and rehabilitation aspects of the prisoners. 3.2.11 Accessing Information: The Right to Access Information Act was passed and provides an important conduit for citizens getting required information on government activities. The formulation of a communication strategy to ensure the wider dissemination of the Act is very urgent and critical. APRM Sierra Leone | Annual Progress Report