Claim- “Here are the amendments that made Bishop Tamba Charles say government has accommodated religious sensibilities…”
Verdict: MISLEADING
Context- The Ministry of Information and Civic Education claimed on its website and social media platforms that Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, President of the Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone, had commended the government for accommodating religious sensibilities in the revised Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill. However, the Bishop refuted this claim, asserting that he had not made any public statement endorsing the government’s position on the amendments.
The controversy stems from a meeting held on January 2, 2025, between religious leaders and government officials to discuss the proposed modifications to the bill. The religious leaders were presented with the revised text of the bill the following day, but they had not yet reached a consensus or issued a formal statement.
Evidence
The Ministry's Claim- The Ministry of Information published a statement and a social media post suggesting that Bishop Tamba Charles endorsed the amendments as accommodating religious concerns. They also cited a video where the Bishop reportedly praised the government for its willingness to make changes reflecting religious sensibilities.
Bishop’s Rebuttal- In a public disclaimer, Bishop Tamba Charles categorically denied making any such statement. He clarified that:
He had not declared that the government had fully accommodated religious concerns.
The Interreligious Council was still reviewing the proposed amendments and had not yet provided feedback or reached a formal position. He described the Ministry’s claim as false and potentially misleading.
Bishop Tamba Charles reiterated to Sierra Check that while he acknowledged the government’s willingness to listen and engage, this did not equate to an endorsement of the revised bill. He emphasized the need for laws to reflect the religious sensibilities of Sierra Leoneans, but no declaration had been made about the sufficiency of the amendments.
"I was shocked when somebody from England called to tell me that they read I had said that government has accommodated religious sensibilities. I feel this statement may have been taken out of context. What I meant was that the people of Sierra Leone are religious and any law passed in parliament must reflect their religious sensibilities,” Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, President, Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone told Sierra Check
He further divulged that on the day the engagement was held they were not presented with the revised texts so it was practically impossible for him or other religious leaders to take a position at that meeting.
Proposed Amendments to the Bill- The revised bill introduced changes addressing some concerns raised by religious leaders, including:
Safe Termination of Pregnancy: Restrictions were tightened, removing the provision for termination based on the woman's exclusive choice, while retaining allowances for cases involving rape, incest, or life endangerment.
Reproductive Health Services: Emphasis was placed on shared decision-making for married couples while retaining individual rights for women.
Informed Consent for Minors: The revised bill specified parental or guardian consent, broadening the definition to include individuals acting in a parental role.
Non-Discrimination and Conscientious Objection: Healthcare providers were allowed to refuse termination services based on personal or religious beliefs, provided they referred patients elsewhere.
Removal of the “Gender” Clause: This change addressed concerns about traditional gender roles while maintaining access to services.
While these amendments reflected consultations with religious groups, they did not signify unanimous agreement or complete accommodation of religious concerns.
Conclusion- The Ministry of Information’s claim is MISLEADING. Bishop Tamba Charles’ acknowledgement of the government’s willingness to engage with religious leaders does not equate to a declaration that religious concerns have been fully addressed in the amended bill. The Bishop’s disclaimer underscores the ongoing review process and the lack of a formal position from the Interreligious Council.
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