By Grace Q. Bryant
The Government of Liberia has committed to ratifying the 1998 protocol that establishes the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights by strengthening the human rights protection system.
This commitment was made on April 19, in a one-day seminar on the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights held in Monrovia.
Reading the commitment on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Legal Analyst, Korboi Daniels, said Liberia’s commitment to ensuring that the rule of law is upheld in all spheres of life for the people remains unwavering indicating, “It is worth noting that the Government of Liberia signed the protocol on the African Court in 1998.”
“We acknowledge the crucial role played by human rights institutions in Liberia and around the world in upholding human dignity. However, we recognize that there is much work to be done, and we are committed to making progress,” he stressed.
According to him, although the objective of the visit has not been fully realized, the government said it is committed to protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law, stating, “We are glad to report that a court visited Liberia in August 2018 and engaged with government officials and stakeholders within the human rights arena.”
The president of the African Court, Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, stressed that the ratification of human rights instruments is crucial for States to fulfill their responsibilities of promoting and protecting human rights.
The Lady Justice disclosed that it is concerning that some States fail to ratify these instruments or refuse to comply with the decisions of human rights bodies stressing, “In the case of Liberia, it would be beneficial for the government to ratify the protocol establishing the Court and deposit the declaration and Article 6 of the court’s protocol which allows for cases to be received directly from individuals and NGOs.”
According to him, the reputation of the court’s protocol and declaration will soon be in action assuring, “We will be updated soon on the official appointment of the national focal point who will be the link between the courts and all stakeholders in this Republic.”
“Our ultimate goal is to create a future where every African citizen is aware of their rights and feels empowered to claim them. This mission aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a prosperous and peaceful Africa driven by its citizens and recognized as a dynamic force in the global arena.”
Lady Justice acknowledged that the role of Liberia in the vision is crucial and all stakeholders need to seize the momentous opportunity concluding, “We must work together to create a lasting legacy of human rights protection that our future generations can be proud of; it is our collective responsibility to ensure that human rights are respected and upheld in all aspects of our socio-economic and political development.”
The INCHR Chairperson, Dempster Brown, said the courts’ system is designed to grant due process to individuals accused of crimes mentioning, “Today’s event is aimed at protecting the rights of Africans.”
“We, as a nation, believe in the rule of law and are obligated to respect the rights of everyone, regardless of their nationality. While we may have had issues with the rule of law in the past, we now recognize the importance of complying with these laws,” The INCHR boss expressed.
According to him, the African Court on Human Rights aims to protect the rights of Africans, and the ratification of the protocol is crucial for Liberia to abide by the court’s rules.
“We will work with the government to ensure that this protocol is ratified. I will make sure before July, the government will ratify this protocol because we cannot talk about the protection and promotion of human rights and we are not allowing instruments to be amended that will protect the rights of the people,” he continued.
He added, “As we gather here, let us engage in meaningful dialogues and reflect on the importance of ratifying the instrument that establishes this vital institution. By ratifying this instrument, Liberia demonstrates its unwavering dedication to justice, accountability, and dignity.”
Adding that it shows Liberian’s commitment to standing in solidarity with their African counterparts in pursuing a fair and transparent judicial system that serves the interests of all our citizens.
The objective of the seminar was to sensitize and raise awareness about the African Court and as the name suggests, the Continental Court has a protective mandate to ensure the protection of human rights on the Continent of Africa.
The court has made tremendous landmark judgments that have helped to advance human rights on the continent of Africa.
Liberia signed the protocol in June 1998, however, since then, it is yet to ratify the protocol itself, meaning that till date, Liberia is not a state party to the African Court on Human People’s Rights unless the legislature rectifies.
