rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/sierra-leone-protect-malen-human-rights-defenders?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-sierra-leone-protect-malen-human-rights-defenders' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> ESCR-Net - International Network for Economic, Social & Cultural Rights https://actionnetwork.org/groups/escr-net https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/077/059/normal/protect-malen-human-rights-defenders_narrow.png On 21 January, 2019 in Sierra Leone, the indigenous Sahn Malen people practiced their traditional rite of passage called “Poro Society.” SOCFIN—a transnational palm oil corporation—alleges that this interferes with its operations, causing the regional Resident Minister to decry this traditional indigenous practice. Malen people protested to defend their rights. Sierra Leone military then intervened to protect SOCFIN plantations, resulting in 15 arrests —including a member of parliament known for championing the human rights of the community —and 2 deaths. We call on Sierra Leone to release those detained, investigate the killing of these human rights defenders, and protect the Malen people targeted for defending their human rights. ESCR-Net —280  NGOs, social movements and advocates across more than 75 countries—sent a collective letter to the President of Sierra Leone on March 4. Customize our collective letter and send your own by completing this form→ https://actionnetwork.org/letters/sierra-leone-protect-malen-human-rights-defenders