This report looks at the human rights abuses committed against civilians in Sierra Leone by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), the armed opposition group, the Revolutionary Front (RUF), and others during 1998. Many people have been arbitrarily killed or mutilated or forced to flee their homes. The report looks particularly at the abuse of children who are often the principle victims of such violations. The trials of those accused of atrocities carried out during the conflict of 1997 fall far short of international standards and the imposition of the death penalty is common. The report ends with Amnesty International's recommendations to the authorities in Sierra Leone for the protection and respect of human rights.