The Liberia Refugees, Repatriation and Resettlement Commission has organized a two-day conference to validate a national action plan on statelessness in the country. The conference, under the theme: “No To Statelessness; I Have The Right To Exist,” is funded by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
At the opening ceremony, Reverend Festus Logan, executive director of the LRRRC, urged the attendees to thoughtfully consider their strategies for addressing modern reality and international standards. Following the plan’s adoption, the document would be given to Varney Sirleaf, the board’s chairman and Minister of Internal Affairs, for approval before being submitted to the cabinet, according to Reverend Logan. Reverend Logan added that the UNHCR and the Liberian government are working to involve stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in the draft national action plan’s validation in order to get cabinet approval for the plan’s use as the foundation for intervention in statelessness issues. The LRRRC Executive Director urged the participants to contribute fully to the conversation to create a strategy that will simplify life for those who are stateless.
Anthony Abogi, the UN High Commission for Refugees’ country representative, praised the Liberian government for its efforts to reduce statelessness in the nation in his speech. He claims that although the Liberian government has ratified a number of international agreements, domesticating them in the nation is still necessary. The UNHCR Country Representative anticipates that Liberia will pass additional legislation to reduce statelessness.
The Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Liberia, Madam Josephine Nkrumah, who was represented by her political advisor, Nathaniel Walker, stated in remarks that the West African regional organization is concerned about the welfare of its populace. She voiced her support for activism aimed at addressing any problems that could have an impact on this group, including statelessness. In her appeal, Ambassador Nkrumah urged all member nations to amend any discriminatory nationality laws they may have. The ECOWAS Resident Representative praised the LRRRC for taking the initiative and gave the Liberian government assurances about the organization’s commitment to resolving the issue of statelessness in the nation.
Approximately 12 to 13 million persons worldwide are stateless, according to Minister of Internal Affairs Varney Sirleaf, who was speaking through Assistant Minister Isiaka Sheriff. He pledged the Internal Affairs Ministry’s complete support to the LRRRC in eradicating the problem of statelessness from within the nation’s boundaries.
Representatives from government ministries and civil society organizations attended the session, which was coordinated by the UNHCR office expert on statelessness Michele Apala Donfack.
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
