Pressure on the media was increased at midyear. In August, five journalists were sentenced to death after being convicted of treason for collaborating with the AFRC junta. Their cases are under appeal. Jonathan Leigh of the Independent Observer, Joseph Mboka of the Democrat, and four other journalists were arrested in July as the government sought to restrict coverage of security issues. Despite constitutionally guaranteed equal rights, women face extensive legal and de facto discrimination and limited access to education and formal sector jobs.
Married women have fewer property rights, especially in rural areas where customary law prevails.
Female genital mutilation is widespread, and the practice was publicly supported by the ousted army junta. Some animist cults allegedly carry out ritual killings of children. Sierra Leone is ranked by the United Nations as one of the world's poorest countries. Efforts to renew food production have faltered, and deliveries of food imports and humanitarian aid have been disrupted by rebel attacks and widespread banditry.