11. The Committee is concerned that the State party lacks any constitutional or statutory provision expressly prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, and that same sex relationships between consenting adults are criminalized by law. The Committee notes with concern the prevalence of stereotypes and prejudices against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons and is particularly concerned about reported acts of violence against LGBT persons (arts. 2 and 26).
The State party should review its Constitution and legislation to ensure that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited, including by decriminalizing sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex, in order to bring its legislation in to line with the Covenant. The State party should also take the necessary steps to put an end to the social stigmatization of homosexuality and send a clear message that it does not tolerate any form of harassment, discrimination or violence against persons based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CCPR-Sierra Leone-2014-eng