THE SIERRA LEONE RED CROSS SOCIETY ACT, 2012
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Sections.

PART 1–PRELIMINARY

1. Interpretation
PART II–ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIETY AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS
2. Establishment of Society
3. Common seal
4. Functions of Society
5. Recognition as voluntary aid Society
6. Independence of Society
7. Use of the Red Cross Emblem
8. General Assembly

PART III–MISCELLANEOUS
9. Rules
10. Repeal and savings

The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Act, 2012.

Being an Act to continue in existence the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society and to provide for other related matters.

ENACTED by the President and Members of Parliament in this present Parliament assembled.

PART I – PRELIMINARY
1. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires –
“Conventions and Additional Protocols” means the Conventions and Additional Protocols specified in the Schedule;

“Society “ means the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society constituted under section 2.
PART II- ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIETY AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS
2. (1) There shall continue to be a body to be known as the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.

(2) The Society shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and capable of acquiring, holding and disposing of any property, whether movable or immovable and of suing and being sued in its corporate name and subject to this Act, of performing all such acts as bodies corporate may by law perform.
3. (1) The Society shall have a common seal, the affixing of which shall be authenticated by the signatures of members of the General Assembly generally or specifically authorized by the General Assembly for that purpose .
(2) Every document purporting to be an instrument executed or issued by or on behalf of the Society and to be sealed with the common seal of the Society authenticated in the manner stated in subsection (1) shall be deemed to be so executed or issued without further proof, unless the contrary is proved.
4. (1) The object for which the Society is established is to render assistance to the medical services of the Armed Forces of Sierra Leone during armed conflict and provide humanitarian aid to civilians and military victims during armed conflict, natural disasters and other situations requiring a humanitarian response .
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) it shall be the function of the Society to –
(a) prevent and alleviate human suffering without any adverse discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, language, religious beliefs, class, political opinion or any similar criteria;

(b) take part in national preparedness and response plans for disaster and emergency situations;

(c) act in all situations requiring a humanitarian response as a reference organization in the field of first aid;

(d) provide support to communities in line with identified vulnerabilities;

(e) manage an effective national network to restore family links between people separated as a result of armed conflict, natural or man- made disasters or other situations requiring humanitarian response;

(f) provide community services to the general population through the Society’s pro- grammes in such fields as education, the improvement of health, social welfare and the prevention of diseases;

(g) promote and disseminate international humanitarian law, the fundamental principles of the Red Cross Movement and the spirit of of the Red Cross Movement volunteerism; and

(h) carry out such other activities connected with or incidental to the other functions of the Society.

5. (1) The Society shall continue to be recognized by the Government of Sierra Leone as a Voluntary Aid Society, auxiliary to the public authorities for the purposes of the Conventions and Additional Protocols.

(2) The Government shall provide subvention to the Society.

(3) The properties and assets of the Society, including its sources of funding such as revenue from income generating activities shall be exempted from all taxes and duties including import duties.

6. The independent and voluntary nature of the Society shall be respected in accordance with the resolution relating to National Red Cross Societies adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 19th November 1946.

7. (1) The Society shall have the right to use the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white background in conformity with the Conventions and Additional Protocols.

(2) Subject to subsection (1) a person who uses the heraldic emblem of the Society commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty million leones or to a term of imprisonment not less than 15 years and not exceeding 25 years.
8. The governing body of the Society shall be a General Assembly constituted in accordance with the Society’s Constitution.

PART III–MISCELLANEOUS
9. (1) The General Assembly may make rules for giving effect to this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) the General Assembly may make rules for –

(a) the accomplishment of the Society’s object;

(b) the organization and functions of branches and divisions of the Society;

(c) the appointment and duties of the officers of the Society;

(d) the custody of the property of the Society and the keeping and auditing of accounts;

(e) the use of the Red Cross emblem and badge by officers and members of the Society;

(f) the making of appeals to the public for financial or other support for the Society;

(g) the terms on which the Society may accept grants or subventions from Government, public authorities or other persons;

(h) the terms on which the Society may associate with other voluntary organizations;

(i) the qualifications and functions of the members of the Society and their organization in various classes according to their qualifications; provided that the Society shall not withhold membership from any person residing in Sierra Leone on grounds of race, sex, religion or political opinion; and

(j) any other matter for the purposes of this Act.

10. (1) The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Act 1962 is hereby repealed.

(2) All rules and regulations made under the Sierra Leone Red Cross Act 1962 which are in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in force until revoked under this Act.

SCHEDULE
1. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12th, 1949

2. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea of August 12th, 1949.
3. Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12th, 1949.
4. Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12th , 1949.
5. The Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12th August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) adopted in Geneva on 8th June 1977.
6. The Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12th August 1949 and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflict (Protocol II) adopted in Geneva on 8th June 1977.

Passed in Parliament this 21st day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand and twelve.
IBRAHIM S. SESAY,
Clerk of Parliament.