Criticizes UK Justice System, But Urges Unity In Liberia-“I’m Not Bitter”
PHOTO: Dr. Agnes Taylor at Monday’s news conference in Monrovia
By Frank Sainworla, Jr. fsainworla@yahoo.com
“War crimes court is an issue for the Liberian people to decide. I personally have no fear of a war crimes court, because I’m not a perpetrator of war crimes in Liberia,” says Dr. Agnes Taylor, former wife of jailed Liberian ex-President Charles Ghankay Taylor.
She was speaking during a press conference in Monrovia on Monday, July 27, 2020, for the first time after arriving home from the United Kingdom after a torture case against her was dropped by a British court.
The case was brought by the Global Justice and Human Rights group of Liberian rights activist, Hassan Bility, who she sternly criticized and accused of concocting false stories against her, which could not be substantiated.
She described as “lies”, charges that she committed human rights abuses during the Liberian civil war. Her husband led the NPFL rebel forces in a cross-border invasion from neighbouring Ivory Coast on December 24, 1989.
Months ago, a court in London dismissed 8-count charges against the woman referred during Charles Taylor’s NPFL rebel was in the 1990s as “mother of the revolution.” Seven counts of torture and one count of conspiracy to torture charges against Mrs. Taylor could not see the light of day. She was accused of conspiring to use rape to torture women during the Liberian civil war in 1990.
Dr. Taylor, 54, who had been in asylum in the UK for over 20 years and lectured at several British Universities told Journalists:
“I was absolutely shocked because I know I never and will never torture anyone. I was accused of torturing people I never knew.”
She said the purpose of her press conference was to “set the record straight that she “has never entertained or endeavored to carry out crimes against humanity or torture” against people I’ve never met. At no point in time will I ever encourage and condone rape.”
Subjected to rough treatment under UK justice
Agnes Taylor, who was in exile in Burkinafaso caring for one of Ghankay Taylor’s two children with her (child then at age 2), said she came to Liberia in May 1990 at the height of the NPFL rebellion and that she took no active part in battles.
She criticized UK security and justice authorities for taking putting her in jail and taking her to court without any evidence, rather “malicious, evil with vicious intent and inconsistent lies” only because of her association with former President Taylor.
What was troubling to her, she said, is the fact that she is not on the list of perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report released in 2020.
The war-time wife of former President Taylor however said she was prepared for any legal case anyone wants to bring against her regarding her deeds during the 14-year-old civil war.
“I’m a Liberian and I’ll submit myself to any legal process,” she asserted.
Dr. Taylor seriously criticized the manner in which the UK justice system handled her case by allegedly subjecting her to guilt by association, something she said is wrong.
She also spoke of not being allowed to take a bathe at one point or the other, urging the international community to vet those who they deal with “before going after innocent people”.
“It’s me today but it could be you tomorrow. They arrested me before going to look for evidence months later,” she claimed.
Asked whether she will sue and demand compensation from the British government for putting her in jail, Dr. Taylor said she was consulting her lawyers. But she later said the she would prefer an apology, rather than demand compensation.
“I’m not bitter”
Despite being behind bars in UK prison for over two years, Dr. Taylor said: “I’m not bitter. I don’t hold any bitterness. I’m not a bitter person”.
She however that she has returned home to stay with “mixed feelings”.
While she was in prison, her senior brother, Colonel Lemeul E. Reeves, former head of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) died and was buried in Liberia. And her sudden arrested and incarceration in London had cut short her plans to relocated back to her native Liberia.
“I’m home. I’ve contributed a lot to the UK and it is time for me to contribute to my country. I’ve come back to Liberia to live,” she told Journalists.
Call for unity
When asked whether she regretted the atrocities committed during the country’s civil war, the former wife of Taylor replied:
“I regret the deaths of people. As a wife I did my best to minimize the hurt people faced.”
Describing herself as a reconciler, Dr. Taylor made a passionate plea to Liberians come together and unite for the development of their war ravaged country.
“Liberians need to unite and heal the wound. Stop looking at divide and rule. Let’s learn lessons from Rwanda and see ourselves as Liberians,” she said.