Respect Rule of Law to Promote Human Rights

SRSG Farid Zarif speaking at the official commemoration of Human Rights Day in Monrovia

SRSG Farid Zarif speaking at the official commemoration of Human Rights Day in Monrovia

Senator Conmany B. Wesseh delivers the Keynote speech at Human Rights Day Celebrations

Senator Conmany B. Wesseh delivers the Keynote speech at Human Rights Day Celebrations

previous next
17 Mar 2016

Respect Rule of Law to Promote Human Rights

By Clement Tulezi

Mass violations of human rights were a pervasive aspect of Liberia’s 14-year civil war. The commemoration of the 2015 Human Rights Day on 10 December was an opportunity to take stock of how far Liberia has progressed since the end of the civil conflict in 2003 in upholding fundamental rights and freedoms, and empowering the masses.  

“There is a whole lot of capacity, more superior to any other centre of power - the people themselves. People can make a lot of difference with regards to who they are, who they want to be and where they want to be in the future,” observed Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Liberia Farid Zarif at the official ceremony in Monrovia.

UNMIL is currently drawing down and the government has expressed confidence that it is ready to assume full responsibility for the country’s security by 30 June 2016 based on its security transition plan that is closely linked to ongoing drawdown of UN peacekeepers. The UN envoy therefore called on every citizen to support the government’s plan by creating a safe and secure environment. 

“We have to galvanize the people on the side of the law, and let them drive the change that is needed in society; a place where criminals have no space. Then we will not need more police officers, because each one of us would have turned into an officer of the law, by protecting what is in the law,” said Zarif. 
For a while now, there has been growing concern in the country over increasing number of incidents of mob violence, resulting in injuries, loss of lives and destruction of property. Ahead of the Government taking over security responsibilities, mob violence poses a threat to law and order in the country.

“We should allow the police to do proper investigation before we draw conclusions. Our laws and the constitution say that we must not convict somebody before investigation. Remember, human rights are linked to justice,” said Conmany B. Wesseh, Senator, River Gee County. “The vast majority of Liberians believe that this country can be rebuilt, strengthened and ultimately be an example to the world.”

Rampant sexual violence against women and girls is yet another major problem facing the country. In 2014, even in the heat of Ebola, a total of 1,139 gender-based violence cases were reported nationwide, of which 720 reported cases were rape, and 657 involved victims under the age of 18 years.
“Our commitment on sexual and genderbased violence should be that it is criminal and we have to fight it whereever we are. We also have to fight human trafficking,” said Senator Wesseh. 

Human Rights Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theme for the 2015 celebrations was “Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always.”
“Respect for diversity and rights of people, particularly women and children, is important for growth and development in Liberia. Despite the challenges after the civil conflict, Liberia has enjoyed a stable democracy. We must ensure that going forward, people’s rights are not denied,” said the Special Representative of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) in Liberia, Ambassador Babatunde O. Ajisomo.

“The coming days are so crucial to the destiny of Liberia. With the drawdown of UNMIL and the crucial presidential elections in 2017, which will bring forth a new democratic dispensation, eyes are on Liberia. Every effort should be made to ensure that Liberia does not return to the dark years,” said Ajisomo. 
Liberia established an Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) in 2005.  

“There are people in Liberia who do not want to hear about human rights. Some joke about human rights. But it’s not our own invention. Human rights are universal,” concluded Justice Gladys K. Johnson, Chairperson of INCHR.