-As Liberia Celebrates Human Rights Day
By Vaye A. Lepolu
The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) unveiled its 2024 Human Rights Report on December 10, 2024, at Monrovia City Hall, located on 2nd Street, Sinkor. During the launch, Chairperson Cllr. T. Dempster Brown urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to respect and uphold the rule of law in Liberia.
Established by an act of the national legislature in 2005, the INCHR is tasked with the protection and promotion of human rights across the country. The commission advises the national government on human rights issues and provides financial support to facilitate monitoring efforts in all 15 counties.
Cllr. Brown expressed deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Liberia, noting a significant decline from 2023 to 2024. He highlighted alarming trends, including an increase in killings, disappearances, and ritualistic killings across the counties. The report indicates that rape incidents have also reached unprecedented levels, with disturbing cases involving adult men assaulting minors.
“The current state of human rights in Liberia is alarming,” Cllr. Brown stated. “The rise in violence against citizens, particularly against women and children, is a tragic reality that we cannot ignore.”
The INCHR has made it clear that it will not condone human rights violations within the country. Cllr. Brown emphasized that the protection of human rights is essential for national stability and economic development. “Without the protection of human rights, there can be no peace, stability, or investment in Liberia,” he asserted.
He also criticized the brutality exhibited by state security forces, citing specific incidents that highlight the issue. In Montserrado County, a 17-year-old boy was shot by a police officer following an altercation. In Lofa County, the body of an 8-year-old boy was discovered after he went missing, while in Margibi County, a 13-year-old boy was also reported missing under tragic circumstances. “Those who are supposed to protect life and property are the very ones committing these atrocities,” he lamented.
Cllr. Brown further underscored the importance of upholding the rule of law, stating that its erosion has led to increased violence and insecurity throughout the country. He recalled the tragic legacy of Liberia’s civil war, which claimed the lives of approximately 250,000 people due to violations of the rule of law and prolonged legal proceedings. He noted that prisons across the country are overcrowded with individuals awaiting trial for minor offenses.
In light of these pressing issues, the INCHR made several recommendations to President Boakai’s administration, emphasizing the need for a commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Cllr. Brown welcomed the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court but stressed the necessity of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Liberian government and the security council to facilitate its creation. This court should address not only the actions of warlords but also the ongoing ritualistic killings.
