Press Statement
26 April 2020
Withdrawal from the Presidential Committee to Investigate Violence against Journalists
On 18 March 2020, I accepted a call to sit on the committee set-up by the Liberian Government to investigate the surge in assaults on journalists by state security personnel. The Government constituted the committee after receiving a petition from the Press Union of Liberia, amid street protest by journalists on 12 March 2020. I was one of those who subsequently backed the call for the Government to conduct a speedy investigation in the attacks with the view to punishing perpetrators to serve as a deterrent.
However, since the appointment of the committee over a month ago, with a mandate to report in ten working days, the committee has never met, which makes me to wonder whether the Government ever intended giving the aggrieved journalists redress in the first place.
On the 1st of April, I was forced to make a public clarification to the effect that the chairman of the Committee, Presidential envoy, Dr. Larry Bropleh, had been quoted in the news announcing suspension of the investigation until April 15 for fear of the coronavirus, with no input from other committee members. And even after making such unilateral decision to suspend, the Chairman has yet to convene any meeting.
In view of the current impasse, I am today withdrawing my membership from the committee. I have been very reluctant to take this decision in the interest of the afflicted journalists, especially after being urged by some colleagues and relations to stay the course, against calls by few to backdown.
Essentially, after giving what I thought was sufficient notice in my April 1st statement, there has been no tangible action to proceed with the investigation. I am therefore convinced that the committee was merely a smokescreen. Hence, I feel vindicated to stand-down at this stage. I do so however with a heavy heart because once again, our political leaders seem to have missed another opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the safety of journalists.
I should say thanks to Mr. President once again and wish the committee well whenever it decides to probe the violence against the affected journalists.
In the cause of fighting to end impunity for crimes against journalists, I remain.
Peter Quaqua