Rashid Dumbuya Esq. is a notable Sierra Leonean legal practitioner and human rights activist who is widely recognized for fighting and challenging societal injustices and human rights violations.
Rashid Dumbuya grew up in humble beginnings and fought his way to success.
His experiences witnessing the absence of justice and blatant human rights abuses perpetuated by others are what inspired him to opt for legal advocacy.
In 2009, Dumbuya served as the Minister of Justice in the Fourah Bay College Student’s Union administration. He also led the Law Society.
After graduating from law school and serving his pupilage, Rashid Dumbuya established Legal Link — a civil society organization that protects the rights of religious minorities and the vulnerable population through legal aid, advocacy, and policy reform.
An initiative born out of the dire need to minimize the government’s repressive stance towards its citizens and promote legal awareness, Legal Link is popularly recognized for combatting societal ills.
A reputable case was the case of Blacker. Blacker was a mentally incapable citizen who was detained and charged to court for allegedly bullying the president.
Dumbuya was at the forefront, describing what he felt was an unfair treatment by the government to arrest an insane person. As a result, Dumbuya is currently pushing for a Mental Protection Enactment Act, which he calls the Blacker Mental Act.
He was also the leading legal representative for students who were unfairly treated by the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) — a case he successfully won.
These cases have generally shaped public discourse and challenged unjust laws and policies.
Numerous victims of discrimination and abuse have regained dignity and justice through the intervention of Legal Link.
In order to curb the high amount of drug intake, Rashid Dumbuya mobilized marginalized younger people in a liberation conference as a way of interfacing and counseling them.
Like every success story, there are bound to be challenges. Legal Link faces donor fatigue and minimal support from government apparatuses. In some cases, projects are stifled due to influence from political structures and slow judicial processes.
Regardless, Rashid Dumbuya Esq. is tirelessly dedicated to the cause of service and advocacy through Legal Link. He wants to be remembered as the voice of the voiceless and a defender of faith-based and human rights.
In a world where silence often greets injustice, Rashid Dumbuya chooses to speak—and because of that, many now have a voice.
