| LIBERIA Republic of Liberia Republic of Liberia Joined United Nations: 2 November 1945 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 10/22/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Monrovia
3,441,790 (July 2010 est.)
President elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a
second term); election last held 8 November 2005
Next scheduled election: 2011
second term); election last held 8 November 2005
Next scheduled election: 2011
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
According to the Liberian Constitution, the President is both the
Chief of State and Head of Government
Chief of State and Head of Government
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, other 20.1%
(2008 Census)
(2008 Census)
| RELIGIONS |
Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.4% (2008 Census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Republic with 15 counties; Legal system is a dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern
sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with
reservations
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 November 2005 (next to
be held in 2011)
Legislative: Bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; note - number of seats changed in 11 October 2005
elections; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected
by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in 2011); House of Representatives - last held 11 October 2005
(next to be held in 2011)
Judicial: Supreme Court
sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with
reservations
Executive: President elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 November 2005 (next to
be held in 2011)
Legislative: Bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (30 seats; note - number of seats changed in 11 October 2005
elections; members elected by popular vote to serve nine-year terms) and the House of Representatives (64 seats; members elected
by popular vote to serve six-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 11 October 2005 (next to be held in 2011); House of Representatives - last held 11 October 2005
(next to be held in 2011)
Judicial: Supreme Court
| LANGUAGES |
English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence
| BRIEF HISTORY |
It is believed that many of the indigenous peoples of Liberia migrated there from the north and east between the 12th and 16th
centuries AD. The area of West Africa which later became Liberia was invaded in the sixteenth century by Mane, Malian Soldiers
tribes from what is now the interior of Ivory Coast and Ghana. The Manes partitioned the conquered territories and their peoples
among Mane leaders with one chieftain over all. Shortly after the Manes conquered the region there was a migration of the Vai
people into the region of Grand Cape Mount. The Vai were part of the Mali Empire that were forced to migrate when the empire
collapsed in the fourteenth century. The Vai chose to migrate to the coastal region. The Kru opposed the migration of the Vai into
their region. An alliance of the Manes and Kru were able to stop the further migration of the Vai but the Vai remained in the Grand
Cape Mount region (where the city of Robertsport is now located). Another tribal group in the area was the Glebo. The Glebo
were driven, as a result of the Manes invasion, to migrate to the coast of what later became Liberia. Portuguese explorers
established contacts with the land later known as "Liberia" as early as 1461 and named the area the Grain Coast because of the
abundance of grains of melegueta pepper. In 1602 the Dutch established a trading post at Grand Cape Mount but destroyed the
post a year later. In 1663 the British installed trading posts on the Grain Coast. No further known settlements by non-African
colonists occurred along the Grain Coast until the arrival of freed American slaves starting in 1817. Modern Liberia was founded in
1822 by freed slaves from the United States. They were sent to Africa under the auspices of the American Colonization Society, a
private organization whose purpose was "to promote and execute a plan for colonizing in Africa, with their own consent, the free
people of color residing in the US." The American Colonization Society was a group of white Americans — including some
slaveholders — that had a variety of motives. Free blacks, freedmen and their descendants, encountered widespread discrimination
in the United States of the early 19th century. They were generally perceived as a burden on society, and a threat to white workers
because they undercut wages. Some abolitionists believed that blacks could not achieve equality in the United States and would be
better off in Africa. Many slaveholders were worried that the presence of free blacks would encourage slaves to rebel. Other
supporters of removal to Africa wanted to prevent racial mixing, to promote the spread of Christianity in Africa, or to develop trade
with Africa. The first settlement was on Providence Island near where the present capital city, Monrovia, is located. Although the
Society had arranged with local chiefs for a settlement, the colonists were attacked by indigenous peoples, disease, and barely
maintained their foothold. In 1824, the settlers built fortifications for protection. In that same year, the settlement was named Liberia,
with its capital at Monrovia, named for President James Monroe. The settlers recreated American society, building churches and
homes that resembled Southern plantations. And they continued to speak English. They also entered into a complex relationship
with the indigenous people -- marrying them in some cases, discriminating against them in others, (and enslaving them in the worst of
cases) but all the time attempting to "civilize" them and impose Western values on the traditional communities. The American
Colonization Society closely controlled the development of Liberia until 1847. However, by the 1840s, Liberia had become a
financial burden on the American Colonization Society which was effectively bankrupt. The transported Liberians were demoralized
by hostile local tribes, bad management, and deadly diseases. In addition, Liberia faced political threats, chiefly from Britain,
because it was neither a sovereign power nor a bona fide colony of any sovereign nation. Because the United States refused to
claim sovereignty over Liberia, in 1846 the ACS directed the Liberians to proclaim their independence. In 1847, the colony became
the independent nation of Liberia. By 1867, the society had sent more than 13,000 emigrants. The Americo-Liberians have never
constituted above five percent of the population of Liberia; however, for over one hundred years, the Americo-Liberians reserved
within the group all political and economic leadership. Under the name of the True Whig Party (TWP), the Americo-Liberians
subdued indigenous tribes in Liberia and permitted no organized political opposition thus making Liberia a one-party state. After
Liberia declared its independence in 1847, Joseph J. Roberts, a freeborn Black who was born in Virginia, was elected Liberia's first
president and Stephen Benson was elected vice-president. Over the next few decades, escalating economic difficulties began to
weaken the state's dominance over the coastal indigenous population. When the financially burdened ACS withdrew its support,
conditions worsened as Liberia tried desperately to modernize its largely agricultural economy. The cost of imports was far greater
than the income generated by exports of coffee, rice, palm oil, sugarcane, and timber. In 1903, the British forced a concession of
Liberian territory to Sierra Leone, but tension along that border remained high. In addition to continued internal unrest, the country
faced a severe economic crisis and huge indebtedness to European creditors. By 1906 the Liberian Government was literally
bankrupt. The Government could not pay its bills without borrowing money from local German merchants. In 1912, the U.S.
arranged a 40-year international loan totaling $1.7 million, with the proviso that four outsiders (American, British, French and
German) be given control over customs receipts and taxes, which were earmarked for loan repayment. At the outbreak of World
War I, President Howard attempted to maintain the country's neutrality, though he tended to support the Allies, whose colonial
territories in Africa surrounded Liberia. World War I resulted in the trade between Liberia and Britain, France and the United
States being reduced to almost zero due to the German submarine blockade. Income from customs revenue was disrupted, when
Germany, Liberia's major trading partner, withdrew from Liberia. In 1942 Liberia signed a Defense Pact with the United States.
This commenced a period of developing strategic development including the construction of roads, airports and other infrastructure
projects. From 1946 to 1960, the Tubman Administration attracted $500 million in foreign investment. From 1962 to 1980, Liberia
received $280 million in aid from the U.S., the greatest level of U.S. aid to any African country on a per capita basis at the time. In
exchange for this aid, Liberia offered its land free of rent for U.S. facilities. On April 12, 1980, a 28-year-old Krahn tribesman from
one of the country's smallest ethnic groups -- Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe -- successfully led a bloody coup d'état coup to
overthrow Tolbert's rule. Doe quickly re-established good relations with the United States and encouraged the U.S. to send
economic and military aid. On December 24, 1989, Charles Taylor and a small group of Libyan-trained rebels calling themselves
the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) entered Nimba County from neighboring Côte d'Ivoire and initiated a rebellion which
became the Liberian Civil War. Doe was captured and taken to the INPFL’s Caldwell base. The circumstances that led to Doe’s
visit to the Free Port are still unclear; however, after Doe arrived, Prince Johnson’s INPFL attacked the headquarters and
captured, tortured, and killed him. His torture and execution were videotaped by his captors. In August 1995, six years of civil war
came to a sudden end as the main factions signed the Abuja Accord, an agreement largely brokered by Ghanaian President Gerry
Rawlings. A new civil war began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighboring Guinea, the Liberians
United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), emerged in northern Liberia. On August 11, 2003 under intense U.S. and
international pressure, President Taylor resigned on August 11, 2003 as part of a peace agreement and was flown into exile in
Nigeria. Vice-President Moses Blah replaced Taylor on an interim basis while a transitional government was being set up. First
round presidential elections in October 2005 resulted in a run-off between ex-footballer George Weah and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, a
former World Bank economist and finance minister. Johnson-Sirleaf was declared president on November 23rd, making her the
first woman president of Liberia and indeed of any African country.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Liberia
centuries AD. The area of West Africa which later became Liberia was invaded in the sixteenth century by Mane, Malian Soldiers
tribes from what is now the interior of Ivory Coast and Ghana. The Manes partitioned the conquered territories and their peoples
among Mane leaders with one chieftain over all. Shortly after the Manes conquered the region there was a migration of the Vai
people into the region of Grand Cape Mount. The Vai were part of the Mali Empire that were forced to migrate when the empire
collapsed in the fourteenth century. The Vai chose to migrate to the coastal region. The Kru opposed the migration of the Vai into
their region. An alliance of the Manes and Kru were able to stop the further migration of the Vai but the Vai remained in the Grand
Cape Mount region (where the city of Robertsport is now located). Another tribal group in the area was the Glebo. The Glebo
were driven, as a result of the Manes invasion, to migrate to the coast of what later became Liberia. Portuguese explorers
established contacts with the land later known as "Liberia" as early as 1461 and named the area the Grain Coast because of the
abundance of grains of melegueta pepper. In 1602 the Dutch established a trading post at Grand Cape Mount but destroyed the
post a year later. In 1663 the British installed trading posts on the Grain Coast. No further known settlements by non-African
colonists occurred along the Grain Coast until the arrival of freed American slaves starting in 1817. Modern Liberia was founded in
1822 by freed slaves from the United States. They were sent to Africa under the auspices of the American Colonization Society, a
private organization whose purpose was "to promote and execute a plan for colonizing in Africa, with their own consent, the free
people of color residing in the US." The American Colonization Society was a group of white Americans — including some
slaveholders — that had a variety of motives. Free blacks, freedmen and their descendants, encountered widespread discrimination
in the United States of the early 19th century. They were generally perceived as a burden on society, and a threat to white workers
because they undercut wages. Some abolitionists believed that blacks could not achieve equality in the United States and would be
better off in Africa. Many slaveholders were worried that the presence of free blacks would encourage slaves to rebel. Other
supporters of removal to Africa wanted to prevent racial mixing, to promote the spread of Christianity in Africa, or to develop trade
with Africa. The first settlement was on Providence Island near where the present capital city, Monrovia, is located. Although the
Society had arranged with local chiefs for a settlement, the colonists were attacked by indigenous peoples, disease, and barely
maintained their foothold. In 1824, the settlers built fortifications for protection. In that same year, the settlement was named Liberia,
with its capital at Monrovia, named for President James Monroe. The settlers recreated American society, building churches and
homes that resembled Southern plantations. And they continued to speak English. They also entered into a complex relationship
with the indigenous people -- marrying them in some cases, discriminating against them in others, (and enslaving them in the worst of
cases) but all the time attempting to "civilize" them and impose Western values on the traditional communities. The American
Colonization Society closely controlled the development of Liberia until 1847. However, by the 1840s, Liberia had become a
financial burden on the American Colonization Society which was effectively bankrupt. The transported Liberians were demoralized
by hostile local tribes, bad management, and deadly diseases. In addition, Liberia faced political threats, chiefly from Britain,
because it was neither a sovereign power nor a bona fide colony of any sovereign nation. Because the United States refused to
claim sovereignty over Liberia, in 1846 the ACS directed the Liberians to proclaim their independence. In 1847, the colony became
the independent nation of Liberia. By 1867, the society had sent more than 13,000 emigrants. The Americo-Liberians have never
constituted above five percent of the population of Liberia; however, for over one hundred years, the Americo-Liberians reserved
within the group all political and economic leadership. Under the name of the True Whig Party (TWP), the Americo-Liberians
subdued indigenous tribes in Liberia and permitted no organized political opposition thus making Liberia a one-party state. After
Liberia declared its independence in 1847, Joseph J. Roberts, a freeborn Black who was born in Virginia, was elected Liberia's first
president and Stephen Benson was elected vice-president. Over the next few decades, escalating economic difficulties began to
weaken the state's dominance over the coastal indigenous population. When the financially burdened ACS withdrew its support,
conditions worsened as Liberia tried desperately to modernize its largely agricultural economy. The cost of imports was far greater
than the income generated by exports of coffee, rice, palm oil, sugarcane, and timber. In 1903, the British forced a concession of
Liberian territory to Sierra Leone, but tension along that border remained high. In addition to continued internal unrest, the country
faced a severe economic crisis and huge indebtedness to European creditors. By 1906 the Liberian Government was literally
bankrupt. The Government could not pay its bills without borrowing money from local German merchants. In 1912, the U.S.
arranged a 40-year international loan totaling $1.7 million, with the proviso that four outsiders (American, British, French and
German) be given control over customs receipts and taxes, which were earmarked for loan repayment. At the outbreak of World
War I, President Howard attempted to maintain the country's neutrality, though he tended to support the Allies, whose colonial
territories in Africa surrounded Liberia. World War I resulted in the trade between Liberia and Britain, France and the United
States being reduced to almost zero due to the German submarine blockade. Income from customs revenue was disrupted, when
Germany, Liberia's major trading partner, withdrew from Liberia. In 1942 Liberia signed a Defense Pact with the United States.
This commenced a period of developing strategic development including the construction of roads, airports and other infrastructure
projects. From 1946 to 1960, the Tubman Administration attracted $500 million in foreign investment. From 1962 to 1980, Liberia
received $280 million in aid from the U.S., the greatest level of U.S. aid to any African country on a per capita basis at the time. In
exchange for this aid, Liberia offered its land free of rent for U.S. facilities. On April 12, 1980, a 28-year-old Krahn tribesman from
one of the country's smallest ethnic groups -- Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe -- successfully led a bloody coup d'état coup to
overthrow Tolbert's rule. Doe quickly re-established good relations with the United States and encouraged the U.S. to send
economic and military aid. On December 24, 1989, Charles Taylor and a small group of Libyan-trained rebels calling themselves
the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) entered Nimba County from neighboring Côte d'Ivoire and initiated a rebellion which
became the Liberian Civil War. Doe was captured and taken to the INPFL’s Caldwell base. The circumstances that led to Doe’s
visit to the Free Port are still unclear; however, after Doe arrived, Prince Johnson’s INPFL attacked the headquarters and
captured, tortured, and killed him. His torture and execution were videotaped by his captors. In August 1995, six years of civil war
came to a sudden end as the main factions signed the Abuja Accord, an agreement largely brokered by Ghanaian President Gerry
Rawlings. A new civil war began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighboring Guinea, the Liberians
United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), emerged in northern Liberia. On August 11, 2003 under intense U.S. and
international pressure, President Taylor resigned on August 11, 2003 as part of a peace agreement and was flown into exile in
Nigeria. Vice-President Moses Blah replaced Taylor on an interim basis while a transitional government was being set up. First
round presidential elections in October 2005 resulted in a run-off between ex-footballer George Weah and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, a
former World Bank economist and finance minister. Johnson-Sirleaf was declared president on November 23rd, making her the
first woman president of Liberia and indeed of any African country.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Liberia
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around the
capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and
the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, several have returned. Liberia has the distinction of having the
highest ratio of direct foreign investment to GDP in the world. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate
favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local
manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and
administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment.
Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government. The reconstruction
of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy will largely depend on generous financial and technical
assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Liberia)
capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and
the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, several have returned. Liberia has the distinction of having the
highest ratio of direct foreign investment to GDP in the world. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate
favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local
manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. President JOHNSON SIRLEAF, a Harvard-trained banker and
administrator, has taken steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment.
Embargos on timber and diamond exports have been lifted, opening new sources of revenue for the government. The reconstruction
of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy will largely depend on generous financial and technical
assistance from donor countries and foreign investment in key sectors, such as infrastructure and power generation.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Liberia)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
From 1980 to 2003, Liberia was governed by a series of military and transitional governments. The president of the last of these,
Charles Taylor, was forced to step down in 2003, and the United Nations installed a transitional government. Elections to select a
government to replace the transitional government took place in October and November 2005.
An Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) was formed in Gambia under the auspices of ECOWAS in October 1990 and
Dr. Amos Sawyer became President. Taylor refused to work with the interim government and continued war.
By 1992, several warring factions had emerged in the Liberian civil war, all of which were absorbed in the new transitional
government. After several peace accorBy 1992, several warring factions had emerged in the Liberian civil war, all of which were
absorbed in the new transitional government. After several peace accords and declining military power, Taylor finally agreed to the
formation of a five-man transitional government.
After considerable progress in negotiations conducted by the United States, United Nations, Organization of African Unity, and the
Economic Community of West African States, disarmament and demobilization of warring factions were hastily carried out and
special elections were held on 19 July 1997 with Charles Taylor and his National Patriotic Party emerging victorious. Taylor won
the election by a large majority, primarily because Liberians feared a return to war had Taylor lost. However, unrest continued, and
by 2003, two rebel groups were challenging Taylor's control of the country. In August 2003, Taylor resigned and fled the country
and vice-president Moses Blah became acting president. The international community again intervened and helped set up a
transitional government under Gyude Bryant.
For more than a year, over 9,000 census-takers combed the densely forested nation mapping every structure. For three days
starting March 21, 2008, they will revisit each dwelling and count the inhabitants.ds and declining military power, Taylor finally
agreed to the formation of a five-man transitional government.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Liberia
Charles Taylor, was forced to step down in 2003, and the United Nations installed a transitional government. Elections to select a
government to replace the transitional government took place in October and November 2005.
An Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) was formed in Gambia under the auspices of ECOWAS in October 1990 and
Dr. Amos Sawyer became President. Taylor refused to work with the interim government and continued war.
By 1992, several warring factions had emerged in the Liberian civil war, all of which were absorbed in the new transitional
government. After several peace accorBy 1992, several warring factions had emerged in the Liberian civil war, all of which were
absorbed in the new transitional government. After several peace accords and declining military power, Taylor finally agreed to the
formation of a five-man transitional government.
After considerable progress in negotiations conducted by the United States, United Nations, Organization of African Unity, and the
Economic Community of West African States, disarmament and demobilization of warring factions were hastily carried out and
special elections were held on 19 July 1997 with Charles Taylor and his National Patriotic Party emerging victorious. Taylor won
the election by a large majority, primarily because Liberians feared a return to war had Taylor lost. However, unrest continued, and
by 2003, two rebel groups were challenging Taylor's control of the country. In August 2003, Taylor resigned and fled the country
and vice-president Moses Blah became acting president. The international community again intervened and helped set up a
transitional government under Gyude Bryant.
For more than a year, over 9,000 census-takers combed the densely forested nation mapping every structure. For three days
starting March 21, 2008, they will revisit each dwelling and count the inhabitants.ds and declining military power, Taylor finally
agreed to the formation of a five-man transitional government.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Liberia
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Although civil unrest continues to abate with the assistance of 18,000 UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) peacekeepers, as of January
2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing
turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict
continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN
sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber
2007, Liberian refugees still remain in Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana; Liberia, in turn, shelters refugees fleeing
turmoil in Cote d'Ivoire; despite the presence of over 9,000 UN forces (UNOCI) in Cote d'Ivoire since 2004, ethnic conflict
continues to spread into neighboring states who can no longer send their migrant workers to Ivorian cocoa plantations; UN
sanctions ban Liberia from exporting diamonds and timber
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
Refugees (country of origin): 12,600 (Cote d'Ivoire)
IDPs: 13,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in November 2004) (2007)
IDPs: 13,000 (civil war from 1990-2004; IDP resettlement began in November 2004) (2007)
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets;
corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of
well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center
corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of
well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Liberia
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Liberia is a constitutional republic with a population of approximately 3.5 million. In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won multiparty
presidential elections, which domestic and international observers considered generally free and fair. Since the 2003 signing of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended the 1989‑2003 civil war, the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) peacekeepers and UN
international police (UNPOL) have had primary responsibility for maintaining security. Efforts to select and train personnel for the Armed
Forces of Liberia continued. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were instances
in which elements of the security forces acted independently.
During the year the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed public hearings, solicited further input from county
representatives and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and publicly released its Final Report to the government on the 1989-2003
civil war. Volume I, the Preliminary Findings, included a list of "most significant" warring factions and presented key recommendations
for the future.
Click here to read more »
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Liberia is a constitutional republic with a population of approximately 3.5 million. In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won multiparty
presidential elections, which domestic and international observers considered generally free and fair. Since the 2003 signing of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended the 1989‑2003 civil war, the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) peacekeepers and UN
international police (UNPOL) have had primary responsibility for maintaining security. Efforts to select and train personnel for the Armed
Forces of Liberia continued. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were instances
in which elements of the security forces acted independently.
- Mob violence and land disputes resulted in deaths, and ritualistic killings occurred.
- Police abused, harassed, and intimidated detainees and citizens.
- Prison conditions remained harsh, and arbitrary arrest and detention occurred.
- Judicial inefficiency and corruption contributed to lengthy pretrial detention and denial of due process.
- Some incidents of trial by ordeal were reported.
- The government restricted the press.
- Corruption and impunity were endemic through all levels of government.
- Violence against women, including rape, was a problem, and domestic violence was widespread.
- Some ethnic groups continued to practice female genital mutilation (FGM).
- Child abuse and sexual violence against children were problems, and a few cases of human trafficking were reported.
- Racial and ethnic discrimination continued, and instances of child labor were reported, especially in the informal sector.
During the year the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed public hearings, solicited further input from county
representatives and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and publicly released its Final Report to the government on the 1989-2003
civil war. Volume I, the Preliminary Findings, included a list of "most significant" warring factions and presented key recommendations
for the future.
Click here to read more »
7 August 2009
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Forty-forth session
20 July – 7 August 2009
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Liberia
Introduction
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women without reservations, and its acceptance of the amendment
to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention, concerning the meeting time of the Committee. The Committee expresses its appreciation to
the State party for its combined initial, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth periodic reports, which followed the Committee’s guidelines
for the preparation of reports and which provided a candid picture of the situation of women in Liberia, while regretting that the reports
were long overdue, and did not refer to the General Recommendations of the Committee. The Committee also expresses its appreciation
for the written replies to the list of issues and questions raised by the presession working group and for the oral presentation and
responses to the questions posed by the Committee.
Positive aspects
6. The Committee notes with appreciation that the combined initial to sixth periodic report was prepared in a participatory process which
involved Government bodies and non-governmental organizations, with technical assistance from the United Nations Division for the
Advancement of Women.
7. The Committee commends the State party for its demonstrated political will and commitment, expressed during the constructive
dialogue, to eliminate discrimination against women and achieve gender equality.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
10. While recalling the State party’s obligation to systematically and continuously to implement all the provisions of the Convention, the
Committee views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding observations as requiring the priority attention
of the State party between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee calls upon the State party
to focus on those areas in its implementation activities and to report on action taken and results achieved in its next periodic report. It
also calls upon the State party to submit the present concluding observations to all relevant ministries, other Government structures at all
levels, to Parliament and the judiciary in order to ensure their effective implementation.
Parliament
11. While reaffirming that the Government has the primary responsibility and is particularly accountable for the full implementation of the
State party’s obligations under the Convention, the Committee stresses that the Convention is binding on all branches of Government and
invites the State party to encourage its national Parliament, in line with its mandate and procedures, where appropriate, to take the
necessary steps with regard to the implementation of these concluding observations and the Government’s next reporting process under
the Convention.
Click here to read more »
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Forty-forth session
20 July – 7 August 2009
Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Liberia
Introduction
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women without reservations, and its acceptance of the amendment
to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention, concerning the meeting time of the Committee. The Committee expresses its appreciation to
the State party for its combined initial, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth periodic reports, which followed the Committee’s guidelines
for the preparation of reports and which provided a candid picture of the situation of women in Liberia, while regretting that the reports
were long overdue, and did not refer to the General Recommendations of the Committee. The Committee also expresses its appreciation
for the written replies to the list of issues and questions raised by the presession working group and for the oral presentation and
responses to the questions posed by the Committee.
Positive aspects
6. The Committee notes with appreciation that the combined initial to sixth periodic report was prepared in a participatory process which
involved Government bodies and non-governmental organizations, with technical assistance from the United Nations Division for the
Advancement of Women.
7. The Committee commends the State party for its demonstrated political will and commitment, expressed during the constructive
dialogue, to eliminate discrimination against women and achieve gender equality.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
10. While recalling the State party’s obligation to systematically and continuously to implement all the provisions of the Convention, the
Committee views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding observations as requiring the priority attention
of the State party between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee calls upon the State party
to focus on those areas in its implementation activities and to report on action taken and results achieved in its next periodic report. It
also calls upon the State party to submit the present concluding observations to all relevant ministries, other Government structures at all
levels, to Parliament and the judiciary in order to ensure their effective implementation.
Parliament
11. While reaffirming that the Government has the primary responsibility and is particularly accountable for the full implementation of the
State party’s obligations under the Convention, the Committee stresses that the Convention is binding on all branches of Government and
invites the State party to encourage its national Parliament, in line with its mandate and procedures, where appropriate, to take the
necessary steps with regard to the implementation of these concluding observations and the Government’s next reporting process under
the Convention.
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Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 3
Civil Liberties Score: 4
Status: Partly Free
Overview
In 2009, the government failed to adopt critical legislation and constitutional amendments needed to facilitate legally sound presidential
and legislative elections in 2011. As a result, it is likely that the 2011 polls will be delayed. Also during the year, the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission completed its work and recommended public sanctions for numerous current officials and the establishment
of an internationalized domestic court to try those recommended for prosecution.
Strained relations between the executive and legislative branches characterized the first years of Johnson-Sirleaf’s term. The
controversial speaker of the House of Representatives was removed in 2007, a deadlocked leadership crisis incapacitated the Senate in
late 2008 and early 2009, and local elections slated for 2008 were cancelled, ostensibly for financial reasons. The Supreme Court
subsequently granted the president the authority to appoint mayors instead.
In 2009, the president and Legislature failed to finalize legislation needed to facilitate the conduct of elections scheduled for 2011,
potentially forcing a delay and increasing the risk of political instability.
Also during the year, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed its work. The panel’s final report was submitted to the
Legislature in July, but lawmakers passed a resolution suspending any action on the report until the 2010 legislative session. The TRC
recommended Johnson-Sirleaf and 49 others for public sanctions, including a prohibition from holding public office for 30 years. It also
called for the establishment of an extraordinary criminal tribunal, in the form of an internationalized domestic court, to try those accused
of gross human rights violations and economic crimes. A total of 106 individuals were recommended for prosecution, including Taylor
and seven other former faction leaders. The Independent National Human Rights Commission (INHCR) is mandated to implement TRC
recommendations, but confirmation of its members was still pending at year’s end. Separately, Taylor continued his trial, begun in 2007,
before the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Liberia is an electoral democracy. International observers determined that the 2005 presidential and legislative elections were free and
fair. The bicameral Legislature consists of a 30-member Senate and a 64-member House of Representatives; senators are elected to nine-
year terms, and representatives to six-year terms. The president serves up to two six-year terms.
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Political Rights Score: 3
Civil Liberties Score: 4
Status: Partly Free
Overview
In 2009, the government failed to adopt critical legislation and constitutional amendments needed to facilitate legally sound presidential
and legislative elections in 2011. As a result, it is likely that the 2011 polls will be delayed. Also during the year, the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission completed its work and recommended public sanctions for numerous current officials and the establishment
of an internationalized domestic court to try those recommended for prosecution.
Strained relations between the executive and legislative branches characterized the first years of Johnson-Sirleaf’s term. The
controversial speaker of the House of Representatives was removed in 2007, a deadlocked leadership crisis incapacitated the Senate in
late 2008 and early 2009, and local elections slated for 2008 were cancelled, ostensibly for financial reasons. The Supreme Court
subsequently granted the president the authority to appoint mayors instead.
In 2009, the president and Legislature failed to finalize legislation needed to facilitate the conduct of elections scheduled for 2011,
potentially forcing a delay and increasing the risk of political instability.
Also during the year, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed its work. The panel’s final report was submitted to the
Legislature in July, but lawmakers passed a resolution suspending any action on the report until the 2010 legislative session. The TRC
recommended Johnson-Sirleaf and 49 others for public sanctions, including a prohibition from holding public office for 30 years. It also
called for the establishment of an extraordinary criminal tribunal, in the form of an internationalized domestic court, to try those accused
of gross human rights violations and economic crimes. A total of 106 individuals were recommended for prosecution, including Taylor
and seven other former faction leaders. The Independent National Human Rights Commission (INHCR) is mandated to implement TRC
recommendations, but confirmation of its members was still pending at year’s end. Separately, Taylor continued his trial, begun in 2007,
before the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Liberia is an electoral democracy. International observers determined that the 2005 presidential and legislative elections were free and
fair. The bicameral Legislature consists of a 30-member Senate and a 64-member House of Representatives; senators are elected to nine-
year terms, and representatives to six-year terms. The president serves up to two six-year terms.
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Suggested recommendations to States considered in the ninth round of the Universal Periodic Review, November 2010
1 September 2010
Recommendations to the government of Liberia
Disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration
*To review the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) programme and to consider extending and
expanding services to former combatants, with a focus on improved monitoring, reintegration, education, and vocational training;
*To stop flows of Liberian arms and fighters to Ivorian militia and rebel groups and Guinean security forces, including by staffing
official crossing points and enhancing patrolling and intelligence gathering in border areas;
*To ensure a gender-based approach to the implementation of the DDRR programme, including by:
*involving Liberian women’s interest groups and women leaders in the design, implementation and evaluation of national and county-
level strategies for the reintegration of persons associated with fighting forces;
*ensuring that psycho-social counselling is widely known and available in local communities to all women, men and children,
*making medical services accessible to women with particular health conditions resulting from the conflict;
*ensuring that education and vocational training programmes are well funded, accessible and specifically designed to meet the needs of
Liberian women and girls.
Independent Human Rights Commission
*To ensure the establishment and effective functioning of the Independent National Human Rights Commission;
*To ensure that the Commission is allocated sufficient funding and other resources.
Impunity for human rights violations
*To bring to justice anyone suspected of having committed extrajudicial executions, torture, other ill-treatment, rape and other grave
human rights violations, in accordance with international standards of fairness;
*To ensure that the victims of human rights violations and their families can obtain full reparation in the form of restitution,
compensation, satisfaction, rehabilitation and guarantees of non-repetition;
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1 September 2010
Recommendations to the government of Liberia
Disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration
*To review the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) programme and to consider extending and
expanding services to former combatants, with a focus on improved monitoring, reintegration, education, and vocational training;
*To stop flows of Liberian arms and fighters to Ivorian militia and rebel groups and Guinean security forces, including by staffing
official crossing points and enhancing patrolling and intelligence gathering in border areas;
*To ensure a gender-based approach to the implementation of the DDRR programme, including by:
*involving Liberian women’s interest groups and women leaders in the design, implementation and evaluation of national and county-
level strategies for the reintegration of persons associated with fighting forces;
*ensuring that psycho-social counselling is widely known and available in local communities to all women, men and children,
*making medical services accessible to women with particular health conditions resulting from the conflict;
*ensuring that education and vocational training programmes are well funded, accessible and specifically designed to meet the needs of
Liberian women and girls.
Independent Human Rights Commission
*To ensure the establishment and effective functioning of the Independent National Human Rights Commission;
*To ensure that the Commission is allocated sufficient funding and other resources.
Impunity for human rights violations
*To bring to justice anyone suspected of having committed extrajudicial executions, torture, other ill-treatment, rape and other grave
human rights violations, in accordance with international standards of fairness;
*To ensure that the victims of human rights violations and their families can obtain full reparation in the form of restitution,
compensation, satisfaction, rehabilitation and guarantees of non-repetition;
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Liberia: President Should Act on Rights Commission
Delays are Impeding Efforts to Promote and Protect Human Rights
May 19, 2010
(Dakar) - President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia should demonstrate leadership in accelerating the establishment of the country's
Independent National Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said in a joint letter to the president
today.
The 2003 Accra Peace Agreement, which brought Liberia's years of armed conflict to an end, called upon the Liberian government to
create an Independent National Human Rights Commission, and in 2005, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights Act
was passed into law. Five years later, the government and parliament still have not established a human rights commission in Liberia.
"The government's failure to establish the Human Rights Commission has stymied progress in protecting human rights in Liberia," said
Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "An effective Human Rights Commission would help foster a
culture of human rights in a country scarred by war, violence, and impunity."
The Liberian government's failure to establish the commission undermines Liberia's postwar recovery, respect for human rights, and its
anti-corruption agenda, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said. While plans to establish the commission remain in limbo,
the country has experienced ongoing violence and internecine conflict, striking deficiencies in judiciary, police, and corrections
operations, vigilante justice, and high incidence of rape of women and girls. It is just such problems that the commission would be
designed to address.
Establishment of the Human Rights Commission has met repeated roadblocks over the past five years. Most recently, in February 2010,
the Liberian Senate rejected all proposed commissioners without offering any public explanation - and rejected them a second time in
March, after the names were resubmitted in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the process. A new, reconstituted vetting committee, headed
by the former head of Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Pearl Brown-Bull, was set up in April to select new candidates.
"The President needs to demonstrate leadership in pushing for the prompt establishment of a functioning independent and effective
national human rights commission," said Etelle Higonnet, West Africa researcher at Amnesty International. "It should be one of her top
priorities."
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called on the Liberian government to help ensure the success of the new committee by
making public the official budget and time frame for vetting commissioners, involving civil society in the process, and ensuring that the
committee's work will be fully transparent. The groups further urged the Liberian Senate to consider the confirmation of nominated
commissioners individually and not as a group.
Click here to read more »
Delays are Impeding Efforts to Promote and Protect Human Rights
May 19, 2010
(Dakar) - President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia should demonstrate leadership in accelerating the establishment of the country's
Independent National Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said in a joint letter to the president
today.
The 2003 Accra Peace Agreement, which brought Liberia's years of armed conflict to an end, called upon the Liberian government to
create an Independent National Human Rights Commission, and in 2005, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights Act
was passed into law. Five years later, the government and parliament still have not established a human rights commission in Liberia.
"The government's failure to establish the Human Rights Commission has stymied progress in protecting human rights in Liberia," said
Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "An effective Human Rights Commission would help foster a
culture of human rights in a country scarred by war, violence, and impunity."
The Liberian government's failure to establish the commission undermines Liberia's postwar recovery, respect for human rights, and its
anti-corruption agenda, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said. While plans to establish the commission remain in limbo,
the country has experienced ongoing violence and internecine conflict, striking deficiencies in judiciary, police, and corrections
operations, vigilante justice, and high incidence of rape of women and girls. It is just such problems that the commission would be
designed to address.
Establishment of the Human Rights Commission has met repeated roadblocks over the past five years. Most recently, in February 2010,
the Liberian Senate rejected all proposed commissioners without offering any public explanation - and rejected them a second time in
March, after the names were resubmitted in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the process. A new, reconstituted vetting committee, headed
by the former head of Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Pearl Brown-Bull, was set up in April to select new candidates.
"The President needs to demonstrate leadership in pushing for the prompt establishment of a functioning independent and effective
national human rights commission," said Etelle Higonnet, West Africa researcher at Amnesty International. "It should be one of her top
priorities."
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called on the Liberian government to help ensure the success of the new committee by
making public the official budget and time frame for vetting commissioners, involving civil society in the process, and ensuring that the
committee's work will be fully transparent. The groups further urged the Liberian Senate to consider the confirmation of nominated
commissioners individually and not as a group.
Click here to read more »
Remarks by H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
At Community of Democracies/Council of Women World Leaders Panel Discussion
On “Women as a Critical Force in Democratic Governance”
New York, Thursday, September 23, 2010
As of 2007, only 19 countries had achieved 30 percent of women’s representation in national parliaments. By 2008, women occupied
only 18 percent of parliamentary seats, with only 13 women in the highest positions of State out of 192 governments. Women ministers,
and to a large extent, although this is changing, tend to be concentrated in social areas rather than legal, economic, political and executive
sectors of the government.
We always applaud Rwanda as having the highest number of women parliamentarians in the world, at 55 percent. And in Pakistan and
India, for example, constitutional amendments passed in the past decade increased the representation of women in their legislative
assemblies and local governments.
In my own country, Liberia, our women organizations have a big pressure on for 30 percent women’s representation in throughout our
political life, in our Legislature, political parties and other organizations. The bill is facing serious challenges from a male-dominated
Legislature, but we will continue that battle; we’ll continue to push on it until that objective is achieved. Liberia is guided by the 1995
Beijing Platform for Action, which calls on nations to review the differential impact of electoral systems on the political representation
women in electoral bodies and consider the reforms that are necessary toward enhancing their role.
We are pleased that in our effort to enhance the empowerment of women, Liberia has made great progress and was recognized during
this session as having made the most progress in that regard.
For us, democracy is becoming a global entitlement with women as a critical force – one that will increasingly be promoted and
protected by collective national and international processes. Our success lies in gaining the support of civil society institutions, including
the media, religious and women’s and all the human rights groups that promote activism and equality in the society.
We, in Liberia, will continue to examine our laws and social institutions to eliminate any form of discrimination against women, to bring
our laws in conformity with UN Conventions, and to ensure that measures are taken to enable women to have equal to all opportunities
and rights and freedoms that exist in the society under our laws.
Click here to read more »
At Community of Democracies/Council of Women World Leaders Panel Discussion
On “Women as a Critical Force in Democratic Governance”
New York, Thursday, September 23, 2010
As of 2007, only 19 countries had achieved 30 percent of women’s representation in national parliaments. By 2008, women occupied
only 18 percent of parliamentary seats, with only 13 women in the highest positions of State out of 192 governments. Women ministers,
and to a large extent, although this is changing, tend to be concentrated in social areas rather than legal, economic, political and executive
sectors of the government.
We always applaud Rwanda as having the highest number of women parliamentarians in the world, at 55 percent. And in Pakistan and
India, for example, constitutional amendments passed in the past decade increased the representation of women in their legislative
assemblies and local governments.
In my own country, Liberia, our women organizations have a big pressure on for 30 percent women’s representation in throughout our
political life, in our Legislature, political parties and other organizations. The bill is facing serious challenges from a male-dominated
Legislature, but we will continue that battle; we’ll continue to push on it until that objective is achieved. Liberia is guided by the 1995
Beijing Platform for Action, which calls on nations to review the differential impact of electoral systems on the political representation
women in electoral bodies and consider the reforms that are necessary toward enhancing their role.
We are pleased that in our effort to enhance the empowerment of women, Liberia has made great progress and was recognized during
this session as having made the most progress in that regard.
For us, democracy is becoming a global entitlement with women as a critical force – one that will increasingly be promoted and
protected by collective national and international processes. Our success lies in gaining the support of civil society institutions, including
the media, religious and women’s and all the human rights groups that promote activism and equality in the society.
We, in Liberia, will continue to examine our laws and social institutions to eliminate any form of discrimination against women, to bring
our laws in conformity with UN Conventions, and to ensure that measures are taken to enable women to have equal to all opportunities
and rights and freedoms that exist in the society under our laws.
Click here to read more »
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION OF LIBERIA (TRC) have release the publication of its final reports
after several weeks of editing and technical work leading to its publication. The report which is an edited version of the “TRC
FINAL REPORT.
Montserrado County, Liberia
12/11/2009
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION OF LIBERIA (TRC) have announced the release and publication of its final
reports after several weeks of editing and technical work leading to its publication. The report which is an edited version of the “TRC
FINAL REPORT, VOLUME II, CONSOLIDATED REPORT(UNEDITED)” was released on June 30, 2009. Atleast 1,500 copies of the
report is now in print, courtesy of funding provided by the UNDP.
The report, containing twenty-one (21) chapters, and approximately 1,500 pages in all is published in three volumes as follows:
Volume I: Preliminary Report , presented to the Government of Liberia December 20, 2008;
Volume II: Consolidated Final Report, presented to the Government of Liberia June 29, 2009;
Volume III: Appendices Containing thirteen (13) titles of supplemental and specialized reports.
Volume IV: Transcripts Containing ten thousand pages of testimonies from TRC witnesses during the Survivors’ Hearings, Thematic
and Institutional Hearings and the TRC Diaspora Hearings, remains unpublished.
According to a TRC press release issued December 1, 2009 in Monrovia, the report provides a historical analysis of the conflict in
Liberia, the root causes of the conflict and 142 pieces of recommendations intended to redress Liberia’s legacy of conflict, dysfunction,
massive human rights violations and promote national peace, unity and reconciliation.
In all, the report includes eight (8) recommendations for public sanctions and prosecution combined and another eight (8) peieces of
recommendations relating to economic crimes. The remaining total of 126 recommendations relate to a wide range of public interest
issues including public integrity, corruption, human rights, economic empowerment, good governance, national identity and reparation,
amongst others intended to resolve past conflicts as part of a national progression towards lasting peace and reconciliation.
The Report also contains a list of dead perpetrators, the names, nationalities and probable locations of 102 foreign fighters who operated
in Liberia; 26 tables and 5 figures of TRC statistical information; a listing of 116 most notorious perpetrators recommended for
prosecution by an Extraordinary Criminal Court and 58 perpetrators recommended for prosecution in the domestic courts of Liberia;
public sanctions for 49 persons for their role in supporting, financially and otherwise, various warring factions. Another 45 persons are
recommended for economic crimes prosecution and 54 others recommended for further investigation into their activities related to
economic crimes.
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after several weeks of editing and technical work leading to its publication. The report which is an edited version of the “TRC
FINAL REPORT.
Montserrado County, Liberia
12/11/2009
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION OF LIBERIA (TRC) have announced the release and publication of its final
reports after several weeks of editing and technical work leading to its publication. The report which is an edited version of the “TRC
FINAL REPORT, VOLUME II, CONSOLIDATED REPORT(UNEDITED)” was released on June 30, 2009. Atleast 1,500 copies of the
report is now in print, courtesy of funding provided by the UNDP.
The report, containing twenty-one (21) chapters, and approximately 1,500 pages in all is published in three volumes as follows:
Volume I: Preliminary Report , presented to the Government of Liberia December 20, 2008;
Volume II: Consolidated Final Report, presented to the Government of Liberia June 29, 2009;
Volume III: Appendices Containing thirteen (13) titles of supplemental and specialized reports.
Volume IV: Transcripts Containing ten thousand pages of testimonies from TRC witnesses during the Survivors’ Hearings, Thematic
and Institutional Hearings and the TRC Diaspora Hearings, remains unpublished.
According to a TRC press release issued December 1, 2009 in Monrovia, the report provides a historical analysis of the conflict in
Liberia, the root causes of the conflict and 142 pieces of recommendations intended to redress Liberia’s legacy of conflict, dysfunction,
massive human rights violations and promote national peace, unity and reconciliation.
In all, the report includes eight (8) recommendations for public sanctions and prosecution combined and another eight (8) peieces of
recommendations relating to economic crimes. The remaining total of 126 recommendations relate to a wide range of public interest
issues including public integrity, corruption, human rights, economic empowerment, good governance, national identity and reparation,
amongst others intended to resolve past conflicts as part of a national progression towards lasting peace and reconciliation.
The Report also contains a list of dead perpetrators, the names, nationalities and probable locations of 102 foreign fighters who operated
in Liberia; 26 tables and 5 figures of TRC statistical information; a listing of 116 most notorious perpetrators recommended for
prosecution by an Extraordinary Criminal Court and 58 perpetrators recommended for prosecution in the domestic courts of Liberia;
public sanctions for 49 persons for their role in supporting, financially and otherwise, various warring factions. Another 45 persons are
recommended for economic crimes prosecution and 54 others recommended for further investigation into their activities related to
economic crimes.
Click here to read more »
President Sirleaf Meets Commissioners of Independent National Human Rights Commission
19 October 2010
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf met on Tuesday with the Commissioners of the newly confirmed Independent National Commission on
Human Rights, having called the meeting to make sure the Commission was getting started with its work.
Meeting with President Sirleaf were: Cllr. Leroy Urey (Chairman); Mr. Boakai Dukuly (Co-Chair); and the five members: Ms. Sundaiway
Nelson Amegashie, Mr. Thomas Abu Bureh, Ms. Macdilla Howard, Ms. Ruby Johnson-Morris, and Mr. James D. Torh.
There had been ups and downs in getting all the Commissioners approved, President Sirleaf said. Now that all seven had been confirmed,
arrangements were under way for their commissioning to take place. She had heard that the Commission was already at work, and that
the GSA had turned over to it the assets of the defunct Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Chairman Urey informed the President that since being confirmed, the Commissioners have been meeting daily. The Commission had
identified a location for its headquarters and was in the process of signing a lease, as the former TRC premises were dilapidated and too
costly to repair. The Commission was working with GSA for the turnover of TRC assets, but had, so far, received only one vehicle in
very poor condition. He added that the Commission had inherited a budget that was inadequate and needed to be supplemented.
The Commission, Chairman Urey said, had held fruitful meetings with officials of various Embassies, as well as with representatives of
ECOWAS, UNMIL, UNICEF and others, all of whom had pledged their fullest support for the Commission and expressed their desire to
provide training and other assistance.
On budget matters, President Sirleaf said that funds were included in the 2010/2011 national budget for the Commission, but that it now
needed to prepare its own budget of how it would operate and the staffing required. The oversight Budget Committee would review it,
after which she would approve the Commission's budget. She advised the Commission to include people with technical and financial
abilities to manage its funds. "Start it right, so that there won't be any problems. The sooner you prepare your budget and get it
approved, the sooner the Commission will get its funds," the President stated.
President Sirleaf said she would follow up with the head of GSA concerning TRC assets. She urged the Commission to look at the TRC
recommendations, as well as her two reports to the Legislature on the subject. One such recommendation dealt with National Palava Hut
Programs, and she requested the Commission to look into how it could be implemented.
Click here to read more>>
19 October 2010
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf met on Tuesday with the Commissioners of the newly confirmed Independent National Commission on
Human Rights, having called the meeting to make sure the Commission was getting started with its work.
Meeting with President Sirleaf were: Cllr. Leroy Urey (Chairman); Mr. Boakai Dukuly (Co-Chair); and the five members: Ms. Sundaiway
Nelson Amegashie, Mr. Thomas Abu Bureh, Ms. Macdilla Howard, Ms. Ruby Johnson-Morris, and Mr. James D. Torh.
There had been ups and downs in getting all the Commissioners approved, President Sirleaf said. Now that all seven had been confirmed,
arrangements were under way for their commissioning to take place. She had heard that the Commission was already at work, and that
the GSA had turned over to it the assets of the defunct Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Chairman Urey informed the President that since being confirmed, the Commissioners have been meeting daily. The Commission had
identified a location for its headquarters and was in the process of signing a lease, as the former TRC premises were dilapidated and too
costly to repair. The Commission was working with GSA for the turnover of TRC assets, but had, so far, received only one vehicle in
very poor condition. He added that the Commission had inherited a budget that was inadequate and needed to be supplemented.
The Commission, Chairman Urey said, had held fruitful meetings with officials of various Embassies, as well as with representatives of
ECOWAS, UNMIL, UNICEF and others, all of whom had pledged their fullest support for the Commission and expressed their desire to
provide training and other assistance.
On budget matters, President Sirleaf said that funds were included in the 2010/2011 national budget for the Commission, but that it now
needed to prepare its own budget of how it would operate and the staffing required. The oversight Budget Committee would review it,
after which she would approve the Commission's budget. She advised the Commission to include people with technical and financial
abilities to manage its funds. "Start it right, so that there won't be any problems. The sooner you prepare your budget and get it
approved, the sooner the Commission will get its funds," the President stated.
President Sirleaf said she would follow up with the head of GSA concerning TRC assets. She urged the Commission to look at the TRC
recommendations, as well as her two reports to the Legislature on the subject. One such recommendation dealt with National Palava Hut
Programs, and she requested the Commission to look into how it could be implemented.
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President since 16 January 2006
President since 16 January 2006
Joseph Nyumah Boakai
Vice President since 16 January 2006
Vice President since 16 January 2006
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President since 16 January 2006
President since 16 January 2006