Information on whether ECOMOG (Economic Community of West Africa States Monitoring Group) forces have detained anyone at Pademba Road Prison for alleged involvement with the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, the following information may be of interest.

In a February 2000 article, Mitikishe Maxwell Khobe, Chief of Defence Staff for the Republic of Sierra Leone, described ECOMOG (Monitoring Group) as a "non-standing" military force originally set up by the member states of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West Africa States) to deal with security problems following the collapse of the Republic of Liberia in 1990 (Khobe Feb. 2000). ECOMOG has since been dispatched to address similar problems in the Republic of Sierra Leone (ibid.).

Country Reports 2003 indicated that, at the end of 2003, there were more than 60 members of the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) detained at the maximum-security Pademba Road Prison awaiting trial for murder and related charges (25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 1). However, information on whether the ECOMOG forces were responsible for detaining people was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Information on penalties for people who escaped from ECOMOG forces was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. " Sierra Leone." Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27750pf.htm [Accessed 17 August 2004]

Khobe, Mitikishe Maxwell. February 2000. "The Evolution and Conduct of ECOMOG Operations in West Africa." Monograph No. 44: Boundaries of Peace Support Operations. Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Website. http://www.iss.co.za/Pubs/Monographs/No44/ECOMOG.html [Accessed 23 Aug. 2004]

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Institute for Security Studies, Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), International Crisis Group, Reporters Without Borders, UMCOR-NGO.