(2) For the purposes of this section the expression "forced labour" does not include—
a. any labour required in consequence of a sentence or order of a court; or
b. labour required of any person while he is lawfully detained, which though not required in consequence of
the sentence or order of a court, is reasonably necessary in the interest of hygiene or for the maintenance of
the place in which he is detained; or
c. any labour required of a member of a defence force in pursuance of his duties as such or, in the case of a
person who has conscientious objections to service as such a member, any labour which that person is
required by law to perform in place of such service; or
d. any labour required during a period of public emergency or calamity which threatens the life of well-being
of the community; or
e. communal labour or labour which forms part of other civic obligation.
Protection from
inhuman treatment.

20. (1) No person shall be subject to any form of torture or any punishment or other treatment which is inhuman or
degrading.
(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in
contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question authorises the infliction of any kind of punishment
which was lawful immediately before the entry into force of this Constitution.

Protection from
deprivation of property.

21. (1) No property of any description shall be compulsorily taken possession of, and no interest in or right over
property of any description shall be compulsorily acquired, except where the following conditions are satisfied, that
is to say—
a.

b.
c.

the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary in the interests of defence, public safety, public order,
public morality, public health, town and country planning, the development or utilization of any property in
such a manner as to promote the public benefit or the public welfare of citizens of Sierra Leone; and
the necessity therefor is such as to afford reasonable justification for the causing of any hardship that may
result to any person having any interest in or right over the property; and
provision is made by law applicable to that taking of possession or acquisition—
i.
ii.

for the prompt payment of adequate compensation; and
securing to any person having an interest in or right over the property, a right of access to the court
or other impartial and independent authority for the determination of his interest or right, the
legality of the taking of possession or acquisition of the property, interest or right, and the amount
of any compensation to which he is entitled and for the purpose of obtaining prompt payment of
that compensation.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the making or operation of any law in so far as it provides
for the taking of possession or acquisition of property—
a.
b.
c.
d.

e.
f.
g.
h.

in satisfaction of any tax, rate or due;
by way of penalty for breach of the law whether under civil process or after conviction of a criminal offence
as an incident of a lease, tenancy, mortgage charge, bill of sale, pledge or contract;
by way of the vesting or administration of trust property, enemy property; bona vacantia, property of
prohibited aliens, or the property of persons adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt or insolvent, persons
of unsound mind, deceased persons, or bodies corporate or incorporate in the course of being wound up;
in the execution of judgements or orders of courts;
by reason of such property being in a dangerous state or liable to cause injuries to the health of human
beings, animals or plants;
in consequence of any law with respect to the limitation of actions;
for so long only as such taking possession may be necessary for the purposes of any examination,

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