PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN SIERRA LEONE, MAY 14TH (9 April 2002)

That this House congratulates those leading figures of the majority of registered parties in Sierra Leone who responded to the invitation to all parties to participate in the roundtable on promoting democracy in Sierra Leone, organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy on 13th March, for signing unanimously a Memorandum of Understanding in which, among other things, they committed themselves to 'a democratic system where there will be mutual respect and trust, leading to electoral processes the outcomes of which will be accepted'; believes that this is a very encouraging and significant step towards free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections on 14th May; and calls on other parties contesting these elections to support this commitment to democratic processes; further calls on Her Majesty's Government, along with the Commonwealth, the African Union and the European Union to provide electoral observers to strengthen the confidence of all parties in the democratic process; looks forward to a new era in Sierra Leone politics where the ballot box and peaceful debate in Parliament and outside will replace permanently the horrors of internal military conflict; and urges Her Majesty's Government, along with its other international partners, to strengthen actions in support of democracy and economic recovery in Sierra Leone.

Sponsored by:
Mr Win Griffiths (Labour)