British Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, Neil Bratley, on Tuesday, October 23, 2024, officially launched a project for the abolition of death penalty in Liberia.
The program was organized by the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform in Liberia.
Speaking at the launching program, Ambassador Bratley said he’s delighted through his office to support the work of the CSO Platform in Liberia through the Death Penalty Abolition Project.
Described as timely, the UK Diplomat told the gathering that the launching ceremony is taking place in the month of October just few days ago after the world celebrated the 22nd global day to end death penalty.
According to him, the United Kingdom is committed to the universal abolition of death penalty.
He welcomed the fact that global trend towards the abolition of death penalty is continuing in all parts of the world today however, he was quick to encourage countries not to be complacent of their ongoing efforts in said direction.
According to him, it is not a solution to be responding to a crime no matter how hideous it is and to also be committing another crime.
“Any miscarriage of justice leading to the imposition of death penalty is irreversible and irreparable adding that justice can be done while maintaining the rights to life,” he said.
The project which he termed as very serious will require consultations and stakeholder’s engagements as well as public support to identify pathways towards the rectification and domestication of the key instruments in Liberia.
Speaking at the launching ceremony was the Assistant Justice Minister for Codification, B. Rancy Ziankahn, who pledged government’s commitment towards the initiative.
He informed the gathering that as part of the government’s commitment to the process, it accepted the recommendation from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) during its third circle to abolish death penalty as a capital punishment.
Mr. Ziankahn pointed out that members of the 54th National Legislature went through the document which is now in committee’s room and they remain committed to ensuring that members of the 55th National Legislature will do the needful soon in order to have the instruments passed into law.
“We are willing and prepared to move the process forward “, he re-emphasized.
Representing the CSO Platform was the board chairman, Francis Kollie, who commended the British Embassy for the support towards the project.
He stressed the need for collective and collaborative efforts from the Civil Society community to the campaign and ensure that death penalty and torture are abolished in Liberia.
The project is among other things geared towards a more just and humane society and to also foster dialogue, raise awareness amongst stakeholders across the borders of the country in order to end inhumane practices, Rev. Kollie noted.
He maintained that death penalty and torture should be unacceptable under the laws of Liberia and Liberia’s Judicial system should frown on such inhumane practices.
Providing further information, he told the gathering that plenary of the Liberian Senate especially 17 Senators in 2022 voted a portion of the panel code to abolish death penalty. As such, it is time to fast track the process from the committee’s room in the interest of the people.
His statement was buttressed by the Project – Lead and program manager of Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform, Davestus James, who underscored the need for Liberia to be in compliance with international laws / protocols.
Mr. James used the occasion to rally lawmakers’ support to ensure that they complete what they have already started relative to the passage of the key instrument.
“We will remain engaged, we will do local and regional dialogues, meet with other stakeholders and actors, chiefs and elders, youths and students in order to ensure that this is successful for our people “, he reechoed.
Th Program Manager of the CSO Human Rights Advocacy Platform disclosed that their campaign is to ensure that Liberia signs the document before the end of 2024 in order to make Liberia the 113th Country to abolish death penalty.
Currently, he stated that there are 112 Country who have so far signed, 9 states he said have abolished the death penalty for common law crimes, 15 abolished it in practice and 55 states still in retention.
“We are committed to work to ensure that social transformation through our advocacy to abolish death penalty is realized “, he noted.
Abolition of death penalty in Liberia represents a significant step towards a whole humane society, said the Secretary General of the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia, Pilate Johnson.
He stated that by denouncing capital punishment, Liberia will be sending a powerful message of upholding Human Rights, protecting non- violence and fostering a whole compassionate society.
“As we strive for Liberia to transition from capital punishment, it signals a new era of progress, forgiveness and healing for Liberia “, he noted.
Meanwhile the Co- Chair of the Law Reform Commission (LRC), Felicia Coleman reaffirmed the LRC’s support to the campaign.
She promised that the Commission will work with the Legislature for the benefit of the people.
Her statement was reechoed by the Chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, Dempster Browne, who encouraged more awareness especially from the local levels towards the process.
He said the commission welcomes the initiative and will work along with the CSO Platform especially in creating the necessary awareness and education to the people in order to have them fully aware and informed about the significance of the law.
