PHOTO: Adama Dempster, Secretary General
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia is demanding urgent action to be taken to arrest, investigate and prosecute all militant groups, in order to avoid anything that would undermine the peace and security of the state ahead of the 2023 general presidential elections.
The platform’s Secretary General, Adama Dempster said that the human rights community are deeply concerned over the increasing wave of human rights abuses and violations occurring on a daily basis in Liberia, particularly the attack perpetrated by the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Council of Patriots on University of Liberia students.
The students from the campus-based party, SUP were protesting against bad governance and other ails in the society near the US Embassy when the CDC patriots militants violently broke up the demonstration leaving several of them injured, including one severely hurt.
Addressing a press conference in Monrovia over the weekend, Mr. Dempster noted that this action is posing a greater security threat amongst citizens, pro-democracy groups and human rights organizations
According to him, the human rights community has also observed that the attitudes of some national security officers, especially the Liberia National Police as these human rights violations continue
The human rights community called on the government to protect all residents, ensure respect for the rule of law and speak against the lawlessness and unexplained killings as well as mysterious deaths going on in the country over the few past years.
Mr. Dempster expressed disappointment in the Ministry of Justice and the security sectors for the unprofessional manners in dealing with the lawlessness in the society and called for an urgent action to enhance national security for all.
The statement called on the international partners and diplomatic missions in Liberia to ensure the government adheres to international standards to human rights protection, peace and security as these are fundamental rights that need to be protected and guaranteed protection for all Liberians irrespective of political affiliations and wealth.
Additionally, the human rights community’s statement went on, the posture and behavior of these self-style militants’ groups sponsored by political parties and politicians threaten national security, undermines the rule of law and gains made to sustain the democratic gains made so far.
Mr. Dempster made it clear that this action moving into the elections will increase fear for citizens especially women who are interested in contesting for political offices as there is fear in the country for the level of unexplained killings ,deaths and violence.
The Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia maintained that this act of mob violence is unacceptable.
“We therefore call on regional and international community, along with civil society and concern citizens to engage and follow up with the government to act in the interest of peace and justice for all.”
The CS Human Rights Advocacy Platform reminded the Liberian government about its obligation under Chapter 3, Article 17 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution which provides that: “all persons at all times, in an orderly peaceful manner, shall have the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the government or other functionaries for the redress of grievances…..).
Also, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (ICCPR) provides that: (the right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized; no restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right…)
Furthermore, the prominent Liberian rights advocate said Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights states that: (every individual have the right to assemble freely with others…),
All democracies strive to respect and protect the human rights of citizens. Human rights mean those values that reflect respect for human life and human dignity.
Democracy emphasizes the value of every human being. Examples of human rights include freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the right to equality and the right to education.