A girl, age 5 is said to have been beaten to death outside Monrovia by her guardian, Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) has reported, amidst an upsurge in domestic violence in the country.
The Ministry in a statement released today (Friday, March 22, 2019) identified the girl as Blessing Johnson and says it “is saddened” by the act allegedly carried out by her guardian, Melisa Tokpa in the 72nd Community in Paynesville, outside the Liberian capital.
The Gender and Children’s Ministry says “is again seriously alarmed over the act of this inhumane form of domestic violence (abuse and torture) perpetrated against a little child, which subsequently resulted to the untimely death of said minor.”
It has condemned the scourge of domestic violence and all forms of abuses against every Liberian child; this underlines the importance of the ongoing collective national and international efforts at eliminating all forms of violence against children, girls, boys, women and men.
According to the Gender Ministry, domestic violence against children and abuses resulting to death is highly uncivilized and should have no place in our society.
In addition, MGCSP describes the inhumane act that led to the death of 5-year old Blessing as one of the most awful forms of domestic violence against a Liberian child and that such cruel practice seriously violates the Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC).
The Ministry quotes Article 19 of the CRC as saying: “Every child has the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally.” Therefore, the act of taking a child’s life also contravenes Article 6 of the CRC which calls for the right of every child to life.
MGCSP says that the continuous acts of brutal punishments against children as form of discipline is unacceptable and seriously violates Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that “No one is allowed to punish children in a cruel or harmful way. Children should not be treated cruelly.”
The Ministry extends its deepest condolences to the family of Little Blessing and the children of Liberia and reassures them of Government’s fullest commitment in ensuring that children of Liberia are properly cared for and protected from all forms of violence, abuse and neglect.
At the same time, the Ministry commends the Ministries of Justice, Health, the SOS, JDJ and JFK hospitals for the support and collaboration thus far.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is calling on the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the alleged perpetrator is tried in keeping with the penal code of the Republic of Liberia, according to the statement signed by Acting Minister Parleh D. Harris.
The Ministry has committed itself to following up on this process to its logical conclusion to ensure that justice is attained on behalf of Little Blessing.