By Grace Q. Bryant
Justice Minister Oswald Tweh says engaging in illegal acts, damaging state infrastructures, beating suspected criminals, or destroying private properties are all criminal behaviors.
our laws and a violation of democratic principles and values.
He raised concerns about the increase in mob violence in the country which according to him has seriously threatened the well-being of communities.
Minister Tweh made the disclosure at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing on August 6, stressing that the justice system and other authority of government entities are being challenged.
“Yes, there will be swift and severe consequences for those engaging in mob violence. Those involved in mob justice will be swiftly brought to real justice. We will not relent in tackling mob violence,” Tweh affirmed.
“I want to address an issue that has claimed the attention of the Ministry of Justice and the entire Government of Liberia. This is the issue of the increase in mob violence in the country,” Minister Tweh began with.
He noted that the situation is so serious that the Supreme Court recently met with him, the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, and the Executive Director of the Liberia Land Authority to discuss how mob violence is affecting the Judiciary, particularly in preventing the enforcement of court judgments which arise as a result of angry crowds.
“Our country is moving too fast down the wrong path! Mob violence has become an unfortunate stain on the fabric of our nation. We have to arrest the situation and change the course of our country. This is what this administration has pledged to do and this is what this administration will do,” Tweh emphasized.
“This administration will uphold the rule of law, which is the fabric that holds society together. We Liberians have seen and experienced firsthand what happens when there is a breakdown of law and order: chaos, upheavals, and unrest with all its terrible consequences. There must be respect for the rule of law in our country,” he said.
The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with state security agencies, will embark on measures aimed at eradicating mob violence from society. Individuals engaging in mob violence will be identified, arrested, and penalized with the assistance of technology, including drones and social media.
He stressed that for any nation to prosper and progress, it must uphold the rule of law. This responsibility falls on both the government and the citizens.
“The government is obliged to ensure that the rule of law is upheld at all times, while citizens must seek redress through the courts and not engage in mob justice, adhering to laws, rules, and regulations,” he noted.
The government will work with civil society, including the Liberia Motorcycle Union and Federation of Liberian Youth, as well as traditional and community leaders, to increase public knowledge about mob violence, educate the public on its dangers and consequences, and build confidence in the criminal justice system. Workshops, awareness campaigns (including talk shows and radio dramatizations), and community-based activities will be utilized to alter perceptions, remove misconceptions, and advocate for peaceful resolutions of issues.
The government will continue to address socio-economic issues, such as high unemployment and limited access to education, which may be contributing to the increase in mob violence.
Minister Tweh called upon all Liberians to condemn and denounce mob violence, stating that it creates fear within the community, undermines the authority and legitimacy of formal legal institutions, and erodes trust in the government’s ability to maintain law and order. “We implore all Liberians to work with us in confronting and eradicating mob violence from our society,” he concluded.
