Defeated Presidential Candidate, Tiawan Saye Gongloe, has urged President George Weah to investigate and take action against sanctioned officials.
He said, among many things, that his failure to do so may imply complicity, stating that Liberia, named the “land of liberty,” must live up to its dream of promoting human rights.
Gongloe pointed out that leaders should adopt a rights-based approach to governance, as the absence of a court for those alleging human rights violations is a major impediment.
He made these comments recently during a panel discussion on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, organized by the United States Embassy in Monrovia.
“The National Legislature must establish the claims court without delay. This court, mandated by the Constitution 37 years ago, is crucial for citizens to seek redress for rights violations by the government,” the Assistant Professor Law at the Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, noted.
He stated that Liberia, having been one of the three original African countries to vote for the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), has a crucial role in making it a living instrument in the country.
Gongloe pointed out that the Article One of the UDHR emphasizes the equality and dignity of all individuals, a principle embedded in Liberia’s 1847 Constitution and reiterated in the 1986 Constitution.
Despite these constitutional provisions and Liberia’s historic role in adopting the UDHR, he went further that the country has faced persistent human rights violations throughout its history.
“Human rights violations in Liberia are not due to the absence of protective laws. Liberia has consistently had constitutional provisions for human rights protection,” Gongloe noted.
Historical instances, such as Liberians being sent as slave laborers to farms of local officials and abroad in the past, reveal violations, despite constitutional safeguards.
The culture of violating people’s rights continued, illustrated by manipulated elections and lack of accountability for war crimes during and following the civil conflict.
Recent positive developments include the Kamara A. Kamara Law repealing draconian anti-speech laws, showing progress in protecting free speech.
However, the protection of the right to life remains a significant concern, as seen in the lack of accountability for war crimes and recent cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of a woman at the Red-light Market.
He reiterated call for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court to address past violations and prevent future impunity.
According to him, the recent incident at the Red-Light market underscores the growing culture of impunity, and called on President Weah to ensure justice for the victim.
Denial of basic needs through corruption is another violation of the right to life, therefore, he commended the United States Government for exposing corrupt officials in Liberia.
