Eleanor Thompson

Founder, Citizens' Barray

Sierra Leone

Eleanor Thompson is the founder and managing lead of Citizens' Barray, a movement-building platform in Sierra Leone that empowers citizens to address social justice issues in their communities and beyond. Eleanor has worked extensively on human rights, the rule of law, and justice at national, regional, and global levels for over 15 years. She influenced positive law reform in Sierra Leone by co-drafting the Customary Land Rights Bill and National Land Commission Bill, creating more equitable and democratic frameworks for decision-making on land. She has also won human rights cases before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States that expand the definition of torture during protests, order Sierra Leone to repeal or amend its colonial-era loitering laws, and declare female genital mutilation one of the worst forms of violence against women. Eleanor is passionate about supporting people to utilize their power to protect their rights, hold their leaders accountable, and shape the laws that affect them.