Monrovia, Liberia - The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has released a combined quarterly report on the human rights situation in Liberia, focusing mainly on economic, social, civil and political rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence, plus inadequate detention and educational facilities.

This combined report – covering May to October 2007 - draws attention to several violations of rights, including three cases reported in Montserrado County, where parents allegedly attempted to sell their children in order to buy food.

Regarding the criminal justice system, the report cites instances where Liberia National Police (LNP) officers, court officials and prisons authorities were found to have been involved in corrupt practices. The report notes that corruption within the criminal justice system not only undermines public confidence in the system, but also makes it possible for justice to be subverted and for human rights violations and abuses to go unpunished. The findings come as Liberia engages in the finals steps of the process of developing its Poverty Reduction Strategy, and it is hoped that the information contained in the report will further provide the substance for integrating a human rights based approach in government's programmes or policies.

Other issues of concern highlighted in the report include poor detention conditions and in some counties, the reported operation of unofficial or private detention facilities. Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including rape and forced marriages, remain a major challenge and some serious cases of SGBV were settled out of court.

Despite efforts by the Government to implement its free Primary Education Programme, schools remain inadequately resourced, thereby limiting access to education particularly in the rural areas. Reports of abuse of authority by government officers also continue to be made and Justices of the Peace whose mandates or appointments have expired continue to perform duties despite the expiration of their commissions.

The Report has come out with recommendations to help the Government address the major human rights concerns raised. These include ensuring that the right to education is implemented effectively through the allocation of more resources to the education sector, with emphasis on schools located in rural parts of Liberia; legally prohibiting violence against children, including corporal punishment and female genital mutilation; and collaborating with the Human Rights and Protection Section of UNMIL to train LNP personnel about rights issues.
 

Source: UNMIL Press Release