Women Yearning for Equality and Social Justice (L.A.WYERS) has expressed concern over the continued detention of Zainab Sheriff, who has remained in custody since 20 February 2026.
In a public notice issued by the organization, L.A.WYERS stated that Sheriff was initially held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police before being transferred to the Female Correctional Centre at the Special Court of Sierra Leone. The organization noted that the refusal to grant her bail and her prolonged detention raise serious concerns about proportionality, fairness, and the protection of constitutional rights.
The group highlighted that the matter comes at a time when the global community is preparing to observe International Women’s Day 2026 and the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). According to the organization, this year’s theme—“Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls”—calls on governments, institutions, and communities to ensure that women and girls can live safely, speak freely, and enjoy equal protection under the law.
L.A.WYERS emphasized that as an organization committed to advancing equal access to justice and protecting the rights of women and girls, the situation calls for renewed commitment to the principles of fair treatment before the law and the safeguarding of fundamental rights.
The organization has therefore called on relevant judicial authorities to review the decision denying bail to Sheriff, taking into account the provisions of the Bail Regulations, 2018. It also urged authorities to ensure that her constitutional rights are fully respected and protected, while maintaining that pre-trial detention should remain an exceptional measure rather than the norm.
While stressing that its appeal is not intended to interfere with the judicial process, L.A.WYERS said the call seeks to reaffirm the importance of due process and equal justice under the law.
The organization further urged that as the world advocates for rights, justice, and action for all women and girls, those principles should be reflected in practice by granting Zainab Sheriff bail pending the determination of her case.
