Presentation documentary « Libertad » (Freedom) – Don Bosco International

Over 1.2 million minors in the world are deprived of their freedom in prisons, police stations and detention centers. Most of them are there without a trial, without criminal records, and for even simple things such as sleeping on the street. They do not receive legal assistance, often no one knows they are there and, even worse, they share cells with adults accused of violent crimes or of sexual assaults. Children and young people deprived of their freedom see their rights systematically violated. They are treated like criminals when what they need is social support and assistance. Hundreds of children live in prisons surrounded by adults. The presumption of guilt condemns them to a hell where abuse and unhealthy conditions make them invisible. Many of them die without hope or stop eating to stop suffering loosing their will to live. The documentary « Libertad », directed by Raúl de la Fuente and promoted by « Misiones Salesianas », introduces us to the stories of minors like these: spectators will « enter » the hell of Pademba prison in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and will get to know the daily life of some young people imprisoned there.

After the projection of the documentary (English subtitles), a questions&answers session with two witnesses from Sierra Leone will be offered to the audience. Fr Jorge Crisafulli SDB, Director of Don Bosco Fambul (Freetown, Sierra Leone), and Mr. Chennor Bah, who experienced detention as a minor at Pademba and is currently volunteering at Don Bosco Fambul, will be there to reply to the participants’ questions.