Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) and RFK Human Rights have submitted a petition to the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on behalf of Umu Thoronka, a Sierra Leonean journalist who was unlawfully dismissed from her position at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in retaliation for exercising her right to freedom of opinion and expression. Her dismissal marked the culmination of a long-standing pattern of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination perpetrated by agents of the SLBC. 

Ms. Thoronka was terminated from her freelance position at SLBC in July 2024 at the direction of SLBC executives after she posted a video to her TikTok account. The video documented an incident at a Presidential Town Hall Meeting in which a woman was publicly humiliated for questioning President Julius Maada Bio about the rising cost of living and food prices in Sierra Leone. SLBC management deemed the video critical of the President, and it led to Ms. Thrononka’s dismissal. 

Following this termination, Ms. Thoronka filed complaints with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, the National Young Women in Governance Network, and the Women in Media Sierra Leone. These organizations reported the case to government authorities; however,  the government failed to investigate or take any remedial action.  Subsequently, Ms. Thoronka experienced acts of intimidation, including two separate visits to her home by unidentified individuals and a stream of online attacks, including death threats. In light of these threats and the government’s failure to ensure her safety, Ms. Thoronka fled the country.

“This move to seek redress in the ECOWAS court is to put an end to impunity among our male counterparts who continue to humiliate, oppress, and harass female journalists like me for simply saying no to their sexual advances.” said Umu Thoronka. “We cannot continue to suffer in silence; rather, we should speak up and resist any form of abuse from male journalists. This case should serve as an example to stop political intimidation, and I am not only doing this for myself but for many other journalists, especially women who are suffering the same situation in silence on a daily basis,” she added.

Ms. Thoronka’s dismissal was not an isolated incident but the final act in a prolonged pattern of sexual harassment and discrimination she endured at SLBC. Since 2017, she has been subjected to repeated instances of sexual harassment by supervisors and senior executives. After disclosing a sexual assault to colleagues at the state company, Ms. Thoronka faced retaliation, including a suspension in 2019. After returning to her position, the harassment continued unabated, and she was repeatedly denied permanent employment despite her qualifications and years of experience. 

The petition submitted to the ECOWAS Court of Justice asserts that Sierra Leone has violated multiple provisions of regional and international human rights law, including Ms. Thoronka’s right to freedom of opinion and expression, her right to dignity and to be free from discrimination, and her right to life and work under equitable conditions. 

The SLBC’s dismissal of Ms. Thoronka in response to her TikTok video post constitutes an unlawful reprisal for her exercising her freedom of opinion and expression. Furthermore, the government’s failure to investigate or prosecute the acts of harassment and threats against her—and its broader failure to ensure a safe and equitable environment for journalists—has effectively silenced her and undermined press freedom.

“Umu Thoronka’s case is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by women journalists who speak truth to power,” said Kerry Kennedy, President of RFK Human Rights. “No one should be harassed, threatened, or forced into exile for doing their job. By bringing this case before the ECOWAS Court, we are seeking justice not only for Umu but for the many women across West Africa who face systemic discrimination and violence in their workplaces. Sierra Leone must be held accountable for its failure to protect press freedom and the rights of women.” 

“The case also highlights systemic issues in Sierra Leone’s media sector. SLBC’s refusal to provide a clear process for conversion of journalists, particularly women,  from freelancers to permanent staffers, violates Sierra Leonean labor law and leaves female journalists especially vulnerable to exploitation, sexual harassment, and unlawful summary dismissal,” said Eastina Taylor, President of WIMSAL. “Ms. Thoronka’s experience is emblematic of the broader problem of sexual violence and impunity that plagues Sierra Leone—a reality documented in multiple public reports, including a BBC Africa Eye investigation,” she added. 

These violations are not only individual failures but constitute state responsibility. Sierra Leone has an obligation under regional and international law to protect journalists, uphold freedom of expression, ensure safe and non-discriminatory work environments, and prosecute perpetrators of sexual harassment. Its failure to meet these obligations has caused profound harm to Ms. Thoronka and continues to erode the rights of women journalists across the country.

WIMSAL and RFK Human Rights call on the ECOWAS Court of Justice to hold Sierra Leone accountable and to affirm the rights of women journalists to work free from harassment, discrimination, and fear of reprisal.

Press Contact:

WIMSAL
Eastina Taylor 
info.wimsal@gmail.com 

RFK Human Rights
Ikechukwu Uzoma
uzoma@rfkhumanrights.org