27 November 2017

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

UN Torture Prevention Experts Visit Liberia, Others, Source: New DEMOCRAT

According to the New DEMOCRAT, UN Experts on the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) will visit Liberia, Belize, Kyrgyzstan and Poland next year to assess the treatment of people deprived of their liberty and measures taken for their protection against torture and ill-treatment. The decision to visit these States was taken at the November session of the SPT.

Under the SPT’s mandate, members may make unannounced visits to any place where people are or may be deprived of their liberty, including prisons, police stations, centres for migrants, security services, interrogation facilities and psychiatric hospitals. In addition, the SPT also provides to national authorities body, known as a National Preventive Mechanism that monitors all places where people are or could be deprived of their liberty.

Flogged UNMIL Employee Seeks Justice, Source: The INQUIRER

The paper reports that a staff member of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Dominic Howard is seeking justice from the government and human rights organization because UNMIL has ignored a court order from last year to pay for damages when he was reportedly flogged by the Jordanian police of UNMIL years ago during a sit-in protest at UNMIL Star Base facilities.  He told the paper that his lawyers have complained to the sixth Judicial Civil Law Court for redress because UNMIL has failed to carry out the court’s instruction to pay the damages.

Showdown Looms at Supreme Court, Source: New DEMOCRAT

This paper reports that the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Friday confirmed rejection of fraud allegations over the first round of presidential elections, setting the scene for a showdown at the Supreme Court. Lawyers representing the two political parties- the opposition Liberty Party and the ruling Unity Party, announced their intention of running to the Supreme Court after the NEC Board of Commissioners upheld the ruling of NEC Dispute Hearing Officer which dismissed complaints of fraud against the 10 October 2017 presidential and legislative elections.

The aggrieved parties’ lawyers are expected to file their expected complaints to the Supreme Court this week in keeping with law. In accordance with Article 83 of the Liberian Constitution, the aggrieved parties have seven days to file their appeal to the Supreme Court. The apex court, in turn, has a maximum of seven days to review the board’s ruling and make its determination.

NEC Board Upholds Hearing Officer’s Decision against LP, UP, Sources: Daily OBSERVER The INQUIRER and INSIGHT

The Board of Commissioners (BOC) of the National Elections Commission (NEC) over the weekend upheld the Commission’s chief hearing officer’s ruling against the Liberty Party (LP) and Unity Party (UP). The Board’s decision came following a review of the merits and demerits of the case and arguments proffered by its legal counsel and those of the complainant and co-complainant’s legal teams, this paper reports.

Reading the Board’s decision to uphold hearing officer Cllr. Muana Ville’s ruling, Board Member Davidetta Brown Lansana said “The irregularities in no way amounted to fraud and that the LP and the UP have failed to produce sufficient evidence against the Commission to justify their accusations are valid to warrant the cancellation of the 10 October 2017 polls results; and the two political parties’ complaints are dismissed and denied.”

After the ruling, a Liberty Party supporter who refused to give his name displayed a placard which read: “The Supreme Court will protect our democracy, not NEC.” Explaining the meaning, he said “the NEC is a complete embarrassment to the progress of democratic gains because it lacks independence and integrity.” LP and UP have meanwhile taken exception to the BOC ruling and are expected to complete filing their appeals to the Supreme Court starting today. Read More

ECOWAS Parliament Discusses Liberia, Sources: The New Dawn and New DEMOCRAT

According to a dispatch from Abuja, Nigeria the ECOWAS Parliament opened its Fourth 2nd Ordinary Session on Tuesday, 21 November with focus on Liberia’s current election disputes and other issues affecting the region. ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Moustapha Cisse Lo in his welcome remarks also named the political situation in Togo, the reported issue of modern day slavery in Libya and the humanitarian situation of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, among others.

The Speaker however talked about the ameliorating actions already taken as well as the planned interventions by the regional parliamentarians in such situations. The Second Session which began on 21 November 2017 will end on 9 December 2017 during which time the regional parliamentarians will also consider the budget of the ECOWAS institutions and agencies, among others. Speaker Lo also paid tribute to regional and parliamentary leaders for their outstanding contributions to the stability of the region and the evolution of regional parliamentarianism.

UN Women, Orange-Liberia Launch Partnership to Empower Women, Source: New DEMOCRAT

UN Women and the telecommunications company Orange-Liberia have launched partnership to provide Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Mobile Banking Services to women and girls from UN Women-supported networks such as the Association of Women in Cross Border Trade, the National Rural Women Structure and the Peace Hut Women of Liberia.

Through the partnership, the women will be trained to utilize various ICT platforms to facilitate financial transactions between rural market women and their suppliers; Facilitate purchase of goods and payment to vendors, as well as become Mobile Money Agents in their communities through the Village and Saving Loans Associations.

UN Women Liberia Country Representative Marie Goreth Nizigama at the launch of the partnership in Monrovia said the partnership with Orange-Liberia demonstrates UN Women’s commitment to working with the private sector in ways that promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and girls.

BFF President Advocates for Independent Board of Inquiry to Probe 2017 Elections Irregularities, Source: INSIGHT

Appearing on a local radio in Monrovia, the President of Better Future Foundation (BFF), a local rights and advocacy group, Augustine Arkoi underscored the need for factors leading to the irregularities that characterized the 10 October 2017 presidential and legislative elections to be thoroughly investigated by an Independent Board of Inquiry across the country and the necessary mechanisms put into place to avoid repeat of such shortcomings in future national elections; and to specially disentangle the National Elections Commission (NEC) from the dilemma of being referee (judge) and player (accused).

Mr. Arkoi said such probe should be conducted in determining whether or not said irregularities were committed deliberately to undermine the nation’s democratic process. He emphasized that any society that fails to isolate and /or condones any wrongdoing by its action or inactions, such society runs the risk of being engulfed by intractable conflicts with disastrous consequences, a release by the BFF said. The BFF President also called for full adherence of the rule of law and the dispensation of justice without discrimination, fear or favor in ensuring peace and democratic governance in Liberia.

NEC Linked to Nimba District #8 Election Dispute, Source: Daily OBSERVER

This paper reports that the Supreme Court will today begin hearing a complaint filed before it by Saye S. Mianah, the announced winner of Nimba County District#8 representative seat in the October 10 legislative election that has linked authorities of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to ‘unconstitutionally setting aside’ the result of the poll for a re-count of the votes.

Mianah’s allegation also included the incumbent lawmaker Larry Yanquoi and NEC training Officer Daniel Gegbeson for facilitating the re-count, an act he said contradicts Article 83 of the 1986 Constitution. The parties are expected to appear before Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, the current Justice in Chamber today.

President Sirleaf Dedicates Somalia Drive Road, Sources: New DEMOCRAT, The INQUIRER and Daily OBSERVER

President Ellen Johnson has dedicated the reconstruction of the Somalia Drive Road the biggest Japanese grant-aid project given the government of Liberia, conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The objective of the project is to ease traffic congestion along the Somalia Drive and promote economic and social activities in its surrounding communities.

Speaking at the program, President Sirleaf “this road and this bridge comes from Liberia effort to build partnership with government and people of Japan. We owe it to the leader who promoted that partnership, the ambassador who was the former head of the UNHCR of the United Nations system and the JICA representative here follow in the same manner,” president said.

No more Demonstrations on Court’s Grounds, Source: The INQUIRER

At a retreat of judges held in Bong County at the weekend, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Liberia, Francis Korkpor declared that there will be no more demonstrations, rallies or protests on the grounds of the Supreme Court and all other courts in the country. 

The decision, reports say culminated from a resolution from the three-day retreat of justices, judges and magistrates held in Gbarnga in Bong County over the weekend, meant to review the work of the courts. The resolution also called on judges not to sign any bond that does not meet the requirement of the law among other things.

SEARCH, Partners against Making Rape Bailable Crime, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Special Emergency Activity to Restore Children’s Hope, a local non-governmental organization (NGO), and its partners advocating for children’s rights have agreed to collaborate to address the rights of children across the country, and at the same spoken against the introduction of the new legislation making rape a bailable offense. “If we do not act together as NGOs fighting for the same goal, our lawmakers will repeal the rape law making it a bailable crime, SEARCH Project Officer Emmanuel Nahn said at a one-day partners’ meeting held Ganta in Nimba County last Friday.

Furthermore, the groups want the livelihood component of the law to be attacked to empower parents of victims against compromising rape cases. “If financial incentive is provided to parents of any rape victim, they will not easily compromise their cases,” one of the participants said.

Wednesday is National Holiday, Source: INSIGHT

The government has issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday, 29 November 2017 a national holiday in commemoration of the 122nd birth anniversary of late Liberian president,  William V.S. Tubman. The day is to be observed throughout the country as a national holiday, a Foreign Ministry release has said.

PUL releases Media Alert Report today, Source: INSIGHT

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) will Monday release its first Media Alert Report at the headquarters of the union in Monrovia. The event is expected to be graced by USAID Program Officer, April O’Neil, the Inspector General of the Police, Gregory Coleman, journalists among others. The report will provide an update on the attacks media workers and institutions suffered during the period from 10 April 2017 to September 2017 according to the union.

President Sirleaf declares November 25, December 10, working holidays, Source: INSIGHT

President Ellen Johnson has declared Saturday, 25 November as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Sunday, 10 December “International Human Rights Day to be observed throughout the country as a working holiday. A Foreign Ministry release said the campaign will be held under the global theme: “Together We Can End Gender-Based Violence in Education” and the National theme: “Let’s Embrace Our Diversities for Safe Education and A Violence Free Society.

AFL Soldiers to Train Lifeguards, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Speaking at program marking the 2017 National Beach Safety Week over the weekend, Deputy Defense Minister for Operations, St. Jerome Lablalee, assured authorities of Lifesaving-Liberia, Incorporated of the Ministry of National Defense and the leadership of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) willingness to assign soldiers from the Coast Guard Company of the AFL to train lifeguards or civilian divers that would be designated at every beach in Monrovia and its environs, this paper reports.

Minister Lablalee told the audience that the lifesaving project is one of the most patriotic duties ever established in Liberia because it saves lives in danger and mostly at sea. “The Ministry is willing to partner with authorities of Lifesaving-Liberia, because its aim is part of the Liberian Coast Guard mandate, including search and seizure along the country’s territorial waters, beaches as well as the waterways. Defense Minister Brownie Samukai has assured that officers of the Coast Guard would provide additional training to the lifesaver, to be followed by logistical support in the coming years, to enhance their performance,” Lablalee told the gathering.

Disclaimer
 

This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIL on the understanding that the choice of articles included is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIL.

 

 

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