Monrovia - On 16 February, United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) supported the Ministry of Justice on convening   a working session to discuss challenges and opportunities to enhance public safety in Liberia, including the regulation of the private security companies at the Ministry of National Defense Conference Room.

The meeting was attended by the Ministries of Justice, Defense, Internal Affairs, national security agencies, senators, Law Reform Commission, private security companies (PCS), Independent National Commission on Human Rights, civil society representatives and international partners, including US Embassy, Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNMIL.

In his opening remarks, the Assistant Minister for Administration and Public Safety, Mr. Frederick Gbemie noted the importance of a legislation since Liberia is fully assuming the security responsibilities. The UNMIL DSRSG Rule of Law, Mr. Waldemar Very congratulated the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) for reaching this step and expressed UNMIL interest to continue supporting the Government to build a protective environment for the Liberia people.

The Civil Society Working Group conducted a presentation on an assessment developed by the Ministry of Justice on the current state of private security companies in Liberia. A DCAF consultant hired by UNMIL made a presentation on the international regulations and the structure of the draft private security law.

The Ministry of Justice and the majority participants recognized the need to regulate the private security services in Liberia.