To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision by Sierra Leone on 23 July to abolish the death penalty; and whether they have any plans to increase bilateral aid to that country.
Answered on
22 September 2021
We welcome the decision by Sierra Leone's Parliament on 23 July to abolish the death penalty. The Foreign Secretary and Minister for Africa congratulated President Bio and the people of Sierra Leone on this important milestone and we hope President Bio will soon give Presidential assent to make the bill into law. The UK will remain a strong supporter of democracy, development, and the promotion and protection of human rights in Sierra Leone.
We have had to take difficult decisions about Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending in all countries as a result of the pandemic. The UK remains a significant global aid partner, with plans to spend more than £10 billion in ODA this financial year, and we continue to have a strong development partnership with Sierra Leone. The Minister for Africa will continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone to advance our shared priorities.