By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
The Majority members of Commissioners of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) have strongly condemned accusations made by its Chairperson, Cllr. Dempster Brown, of interference by presidential legal advisor Bushben Keita.
Cllr. Brown recently issued a statement warning Keita to stay out of the internal affairs of the Commission.
The INCHR Chairman accused Keita of citing commissioners of the INCHR for an investigation, which he claimed went against the Standard Operating Procedure of the Commission.
Cllr. Brown also threatened to sue President Boakai’s Legal Advisor if he continued to meddle in the affairs of the INCHR.
In response, the Majority members of Commissioners at the INCHR released a press release in Monrovia affirming their support for the ongoing investigation into acts of impropriety, corruption, and violations of laws.
They stated that the investigation, authorized by the Executive through its legal advisor, is in line with the Commission’s act and is aimed at protecting the independence, impartiality, and dignity of the Commission.
The majority commissioners accused Cllr. Brown of trying to disrupt and distract from the ongoing investigation by drawing on public sentiments and misinterpreting the INCHR Act.
They emphasized that no organ of state or person should interfere with or obstruct the Commission or its commissioners in the exercise of their powers and duties.
The majority of commissioners also expressed their full cooperation with the special investigative committee and welcomed the ongoing investigation.