As Rights Coalition Pushes Urgent Endorsement Of Defenders Policy
Monrovia, Liberia – A coalition of human rights actors in Liberia has intensified pressure on the government to urgently endorse the long-pending National Human Rights Defenders Policy, warning that continued delay leaves activists exposed and unprotected.
Operating under the banner of the Liberia Coalition for Human Rights Defenders (LICHRD), civil society actors concluded a two-day high-level capacity-building session in Monrovia, where they unveiled a renewed and strategic advocacy roadmap aimed at securing swift government action.
LICHRD National Chairperson Niedoteh Boyd Torber emphasized at the end of the interaction that the policy, which is intended to protect human rights defenders, has been frozen for more than a year since it was submitted to the government.
“We have developed a comprehensive National Human Rights Defenders Policy intended to protect activists and civil society actors, but it has been abandoned without action. This must now be treated as a national priority,” Torber asserted.
He pointed out that human rights activism in Liberia has always been dangerous since defenders frequently work without legal safeguards, especially in groups that are already vulnerable. He claims that the proposed policy aims to institutionalize protections that would allow activists to work securely and freely while promoting social justice.
With stakeholders coordinating efforts to demand accountability and government commitment, Torber stressed that the Monrovia gathering was a critical step toward developing a cohesive and proactive engagement plan. The workshop, held at a local hotel, brought together dozens of human rights stakeholders and was supported by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), which has played a key role in the development of the policy.
Antoine Tremblay, the Africa Program Coordinator for ISHR, praised the resilience of Liberian human rights advocates, pointing out their ongoing work in spite of the lack of official government support. “Human rights defenders and governments are partners in protecting citizens. It is critical that the government demonstrates its commitment by endorsing this policy,” Tremblay said.
Participants expressed hope that the recently created advocacy roadmap will improve communication with national authorities and hasten the policy’s approval. According to stakeholders, formal approval of the policy will make the climate safer and more supportive for civil society actors, enabling them to keep pushing for better living circumstances and fundamental rights without worrying about violence or intimidation.
Reported by: Prince Saah
