By William Selmah, wselmah@gmail.com
Police in Monrovia have arrested and sent to court a woman for reportedly torturing and isolating her grandchild on suspicion of being engaged in witchcraft activities.
The grandmother identified as Kula Kromah is said to have burnt the victim and kept her in isolation without basic necessities as part of the torture meted to her in a prolonged abuse that began almost five months ago.
Torture is a human rights abuse which violates Liberian law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It is defined by the United Nations Human Rights Commission as “any act by which severe pain or … freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”.
The Gender Ministry has taken custody of the child, it said in a statement released earlier on Tuesday in Monrovia.
The victim is undergoing psychosocial counselling and is said to also be responding to medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the Gender Ministry is cautioning the public against indulging in any form of trial by ordeal as an alternative path to justice, saying the practice is outlawed under Liberian jurisprudence.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has been commended for arresting and sending the perpetrator to court, saying it will remain fully engaged in pursuing justice for the survivor.