By Precious D. Freeman
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform, with support from the British Embassy near Monrovia, have concluded a one-day comprehensive and final validation process on the draft death penalty bill.
The gathering focused on reviewing an act to amend Title 25 of the Liberian Code of Law Revised, specifically addressing sections 11, 14, 15, and 50, concerning sentencing and the abolition of the death penalty.
The session, held at the Ministry of Justice, brought together key national stakeholders, including the Law Reform Commission, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), the Liberia National Police, the National Security Agency, the Liberia Immigration Service, and members of the National Legislature and Judiciary.
Speaking at the close of the session, the chairperson of the INCHR, Cllr. Dempster Browne, emphasized the urgency of ensuring the passage of the bill, describing it as a serious human rights issue.
He criticized some lawmakers for not showing enough commitment to advancing the bill, accusing certain legislators of politicizing the issue to boost their re-election prospects.
“We have observed that some lawmakers are not making the necessary efforts to push this bill forward,” Cllr. Brown stated. “It’s concerning that such a critical human rights matter is being treated as a political tool.”
The Deputy Minister for Codification at the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Cora Hare-Konuwa underscored Liberia’s international obligation to abolish the death penalty as a signatory to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
She reminded participants that the protocol mandates the abolition of the death penalty, affirming Liberia’s commitment to protecting the right to life and aligning its legal framework with global human rights standards.
Referencing a roundtable dialogue held on November 26, 2024, organized by the Ministry of Justice and the Civil Society Human Rights Platform, Cllr. Hare-Konuwa noted that the dialogue was instrumental in refining the draft bill.
“The discussions were productive, with valuable input from all stakeholders, and a comprehensive report has been submitted to the Minister of Justice for presentation to the Legislature,” she said.
She further urged participants to ensure that the bill reflects not only international human rights principles but also Liberia’s unique legal and societal context.
Additionally, she called on stakeholders to contribute to the drafting of Liberia’s initial report to the Committee Against Torture, which has been overdue since 2008.
“This report is essential for demonstrating Liberia’s commitment to prohibiting torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment,” she added.
Providing legal insight, the Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Cllr. Boakai Kanneh, stressed the need to categorize the death penalty as a form of torture under Liberian law.
He cited Article 21 of the Liberian Constitution, which grants the Legislature the authority to criminalize torture.
“Torture is not currently classified as a crime under Liberian law,” Cllr. Kanneh said. “It’s important that the definition of torture be carefully considered and referenced in Chapter 36 of the Penal Code.”
Cllr. Kanneh commended the Ministry of Justice and civil society actors for their leadership in drafting the bill, advising that those working on the legal reforms resist undue pressure from international partners.
“Focus on maintaining the integrity and consistency of the legislation,” he urged.
The validation session marked a pivotal moment in Liberia’s human rights journey, as stakeholders worked to ensure that the proposed amendment aligns the country’s laws with its international commitments.
The draft bill, once passed, would represent a historic step toward the full abolition of the death penalty in Liberia.
