By Bill W. Cooper
The United States government 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights practices in Liberia has revealed that the government of former President George Weah failed to take credible steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses in the country.
The report, which was released late Monday, highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Liberia in terms of protecting the rights of its citizens and holding accountable those responsible for violations as well as rampant corruption in government among others.
“There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in Liberia during the year because the government did not take credible steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses,” the report said.
According to the report, there were significant human rights issues which included credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings as well as extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government or on behalf of the government.
Others included harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; serious problems with the independence of the Judiciary; serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats of violence against journalists and censorship.
The report also highlighted serious government corruption; extensive gender-based violence, including domestic or intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and female genital mutilation/cutting.
Also mentioned in the report were laws criminalizing consensual same-sex conduct between adults, which were enforced; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex persons; and systematic restrictions on workers’ freedom of association.
According to the report, there have been numerous allegations of human rights abuses in Liberia and despite these allegations, the government has failed to conduct thorough investigations or hold those responsible accountable.
The report further said that due to corruption and the lack of transparency and accountability in government institutions, has allowed officials to act with impunity, leading to widespread abuses of power and violations of human rights.
In addition to these concerns, the report further alarmed over the challenges facing marginalized groups in Liberia, including women, children, and members of the LGBTQ+ community and said these groups continue to face discrimination and violence with lack of resources.
Meanwhile, as the international community continues to monitor the situation in the country, it is clear that much work remains to be done by the administration headed by President Joseph N. Boakai to ensure that all citizens are able to enjoy their fundamental human rights.
The US Government’s 2023 Human Rights Report serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the country and the urgent need for meaningful reform and accountability in the country’s government as promised by President Boakai in his inaugural and SONA addresses.
