Two leading LGBTQ+ rights activists from Sierra Leone have fled the country after a police raid on a private party escalated into a public manhunt, leaving them fearing for their lives. George Reginald Freeman Browne, the executive director of the organization Pride Equality, and his partner, fellow activist Edwin Bolaji Deen, are now in an undisclosed location, facing an uncertain future, reports 76crimes.com.
The situation spiraled after a police raid on a party they attended on August 30. Following the raid, Sierra Leonean police issued public arrest warrants for the couple, accusing them of “homosexuality (gay) and LGBTI social activity.” Authorities claimed their work was “likely to cause the breach of the peace” and offered a reward for information leading to their capture.
A Cascade of Personal Crises
In a recent update, Freeman described a harrowing series of events that have unfolded since the manhunt began. The pressure has extended beyond the police, creating a devastating personal crisis for the couple.
Edwin Deen’s family has been subjected to constant police raids and harassment. Tragically, Deen’s father passed away, a death his family now blames on him. According to Freeman, Deen's mother said the shock and distress caused by the public accusations and police pressure led to his father's death. The harassment has reportedly continued even after his passing.
“We continue to receive constant calls from family and friends warning us never to return to Sierra Leone,” Freeman wrote. “Even more concerning, we are getting continuous death threats and warning calls on WhatsApp from unknown phone numbers.”
The couple has also lost their home. Their landlady in Freetown contacted them to terminate their lease, calling them “bloody homosexuals” and threatening to call the police if they ever returned. This action resulted in the forfeiture of two years of rent they had already paid.
The Climate for LGBTQ+ People in Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, a West African nation, same-sex sexual activity between men remains criminalized under a colonial-era law. The legislation, which prohibits “unnatural carnal knowledge,” carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. While not always actively enforced, the law provides a legal basis for harassment, extortion, and persecution, creating a climate of constant fear for the LGBTQ+ community.
The public nature of the police hunt for Freeman and Deen represents a significant and dangerous escalation. For now, the two activists are safe from immediate arrest, but their ordeal is far from over.
“We feel completely trapped, unprotected, and overwhelmed right now,” Freeman stated. “Edwin is under immense psychological stress from both the loss of his father and the accusations from his family.”
