PHOTO: Independent Rights Commission Chair, Atty. Colley
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Independent National Commission of Human Rights of Liberia has expressed serious concern on the numerous report of brutality against civilians by law enforcement officers, in the name of the implementation of the state of emergency.
The commission’s Acting Chairman, Attorney Bartholomew Colley said with the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown measures, there has also been an increase in the cases of domestic violence in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Monrovia on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Atty. Colley added that the commission’s attention has been drawn to non- adherence of the health protocols including the social distancing and the current lockdown by citizens and residents.
According to him, reports from the counties speak of excessive callousness on the part of those who are supposed to enforce the law—State security forces.
Since the start of the state of emergency, there continues to be reports of excesses on the part of some state security personnel, with at least one death reported as a result of their alleged action.
In the densely Monrovia slum district of West Point, a three-year-old child died from severe burn few days after a Police officer is said to have kick a pot of boiling water that spilled on the child, while forcing residents to go indoor. At the same time, state security officers have also been stoned as they enforce the stay home order.
In another development, the Rights Commission boss has alarmed over what he says is the rise in the cases of domestic work violence in the country, adding that “with the lock down, , the increase in gender based violence is worrisome.”
The Independent National Commission of Human Rights in Liberia gas made it unequivocally clear that it is appalled regarding recent statements made by the Solicitor General regarding the suspension of basic human rights due to the state of emergency.
“Not all rights can be derogated from during the state of emergency because some rights are suspended that must be proportionate to the health crisis be necessary for protecting and responding to threat faced by the nation,” Chairman Colley said.
The Commission reminded the government that the right to freedom of expression is a constitutionally guaranteed that cannot be derogated from the emergency and cautioned the state against using criticism against its officials as a spring-board for clamping on the freedom of expression
“There is no threshold for what is false or true information and advised the government that whatever statement or criticism is directed towards government officials or are spoken against persons of special status, such persons deserves a higher degree of tolerance than the other.”
The commission cautioned the government to refrain from comments that suggest that Liberia is sliding to the days of the past when right to free expression and other rights were unreasonably and unlawfully restricted by the state.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights of Liberia has advanced a five-count recommendation aimed at easing the curbing the brutality against civilians and accelerating the fight against corona virus in the country.
Atty. Colley recommended among other things that incidences if brutality be investigated without delay and punitive action taken against the perpetrators
He called on the government to make it clear that rights are not suspended as a result of the state of emergency as well as communicate with the United Nations Secretary General on those rights consistent with human rights obligations.
Attorney Colley proposed that health facilities be made accessible, secured from infection by the appropriate measures and make available basic treatment drugs and all maternity wards throughout the country.
The commission wants government to ensure that the fight against covid-19 is won and the state must be de-securitized the fight against this deadly disease and ensure that scientists and health practitioners take the lead.
During the press conference, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights of Liberia cited nine incidents of human rights violations from several parts of the country
The commission cited the brutality of by some soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia in Slipway on April 29, 2020 when a 39 year old woman and a 54 year woman were severely manhandled.
In another event, a 36 year old man was severely beaten, handcuffed and tortured in the Thinkers Village Police Depot,
On the 20th of April, a three-year old boy was burnt to death in the Township of West Point and on the 27th of April, the Chief of Operation of the LNP Detachment in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County identified as Lexington Ben broke into home a 50 year old resident and severely tortured the man and two others.