The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) is calling on the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights to conduct an immediate investigation and take appropriate actions in to the current crisis in Libya.
The INCHR said it is shocked and dismayed over the revelation coming from Northern Africa that has sent shock waves through the entire world.
The Commission’s acting Chairman Rev. Atty. Bartholomew Colley told a news Conference in Monrovia on Wednesday, the INCHR called on the Government of Liberia to immediately conduct an investigation to find out the number of Liberians involved and their health conditions.
‘’It is unbelievable to note that in this 21st century, slavery is being practiced, but the Commission sees this as utterly disgusting and shameful for Africans and especially Libyans’’ Atty. Colley noted.
He said following the results from the investigation, an immediate repatriation should by government to have those currently going through suffering in Libya.
Atty. Colley said the INCHR is concerned about the troubling economic environment, the skyrocketing of business commodities is a striking worry as the situation is threatening the livelihood, survival and safety of most Liberians and residents alike.
“We wants the Government through its responsible ministries and agencies to launch an investigation and determine whether the situation is as a result of hoarding, global economic effect, economic sabotage or sheer wickedness on the part of selfish individuals who want to maximize profits at the expense and detriment of the poverty stricken citizens’’ He noted.
He said the results of this investigation is necessary in order to provide information to the population as they are entitled to proper information and to also prosecute unscrupulous persons who have no regards for the basic rights of others and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s the Independent Rights Commission has said it has recognized that the provision of human rights education is cardinal to the protection and promotion of human rights in every society.
Additionally, the INCHR is cognizant that a pool of trained personnel on human rights treaty reporting is important for the cultivation of a human rights friendly culture and the culture of human rights will blossom further when human rights based approach is used in the development of national policies, programs and other activities.
In addition, the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan and recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review needs to be taken seriously by all state and non-state actors responsible.
On account of the above, the Commission is engaging in activities that will reinforce its mandate of promotion and protection of human rights.
Thes activities will be carried out in the coming days will include human rights education and awareness campaign in Bong, Bassa, Bomi and Montserrado counties.
A one-day working session on treaty reporting with state institutions, one day technical working session to draft the revised Agenda for Transformation to mainstream the SDGs using Human Rights Based Approach, high level meeting with actors from the judiciary and a community based campaign to reduce invalid votes in subsequent elections.
The INCHR will use these activities sponsored by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the United Nations to strengthen the capacity of the Commission, enhanced the Commission’s visibility, increase awareness among citizens on redress mechanisms for human rights violations among other human rights related objectives.
The INCHR commences these activities beginning Wednesday 6th December 2017 and climaxed 14th December 2017.
Liberia will on December 10 join other countries in the world to celebrate this year’s International Human Rights Day. December 10 every year is celebrated in commemoration of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights which came into existence in 1948.
The day also marks the official closure of the 16 Days of Activism which began on November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of all Forms of Violence against Women.
This year’s celebration is under the global theme: “We are all equal in dignity and rights”
The INCHR with the statutory mandate to protect and promote human rights consistent with its Act of 2005, the constitution of the Republic of Liberia, including the Paris principles of 1993, and related international treaties and conventions to which Liberia is a state party, has organized program befitting celebration of the day.
The INCHR will on Monday 11th December, alongside key partners, execute programs to commemorate the day in Liberia consistent with the Commission’s commitment to decentralize its activities.
The program will take place in Tubmanburg, Bomi County under the national theme: “Advancing the rights and dignity of children and persons with disabilities.” Report by Alfred Kollie