-As traditional leaders, others want churches and mosques to take the lead in
discussing human rights issues
The Executive Director of Muslim Aid Liberia, Sheikh I. Swaray, says cultural beliefs and traditions are responsible for the violation of human rights in the country especially women’s and girls’ rights.
Mr. Swaray said if Liberia will have a good human rights record, Liberians must change their attitude toward each other as a way of avoiding the violation of others’ rights. Mr. Swaray said traditional leaders across the country are either Christians or Muslims and it was time to take human rights issues discussion to the various religious houses to educate the public.
“People who go to Poro or Sandy society are either Muslims or Christians and they try to violate people’s rights on the basis of tradition or cultural beliefs. Tradition says a woman is subject to a man. Those traditional practices still remained,” Mr. Swaray said.
Mr. Swaray said before the coming of Christianity and Islam, tradition and cultural beliefs existed and continued to be practiced thereby leading to the violation of people’s rights. Mr. Swaray made the disclosure on Friday, June 10, 2022, at a one-day dialogue session with the National Council of chiefs, elders, and Inter-Religious Council held at the YWCA in Congo Town organized by the Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI), LEGAL Association of Liberia and others with funding from Irish Aid.
Friday’s event which brought together 40 participants aims at creating a safe space for discussion on issues relating to women and gender minorities and human rights defenders were held under the theme: “Enhancing Empowerment and Protection of Women and Gender Minority.” The dialogue also aims at strengthening relationships and networks with duty bearers at the local and national levels and reflecting on issues that affect women and gender minorities.
“It’s because of cultural beliefs that others’ rights are violated, especially women and girls. Men believed that women and girls are second to them and therefore, they don’t have rights. Additionally, we have to
understand the rights of women and men and if this is done, we will be able to protect each other’s rights,” Mr. Swaray said.
According to him, in the absence of such people rights will continue to be violated especially women and girls who have already been marginalized for years. Mr. Swaray argues that there’s no religion that protects the rights of women than Islam.
“I strongly believe that Liberia needs advocacy towards human rights and women’s rights in particular and CHI continues to create awareness and educates our people,” Mr. Swaray said.
The Program Coordinator of Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI) Ramses A. Hutchins said he believes that Liberia is prepared to end human rights violations through continued engagement of human rights issues.
“The time is now and we must continue the engagement about things that affect people. Creating a safe space to discuss human rights issues is a way of addressing human rights violations or abuse. Today, we have people who are decision-makers being part of this discussion and we are assured of them taking the message back in their various communities,” Mr. Hutchins said.
The Director for Coordination and Communion Farming at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Samuel T. Fayiah said Liberia is making progress in addressing human rights issues considering the establishment of human rights organizations. Mr. Fayiah who serves as facilitator said he believes that the churches and
mosques need to help in discussing human rights protection in order to increase Liberia’s human rights record.
Setta F. Saah, National Coordinator of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders said there is a need to engage the traditional people in human rights violations as it has been carried out mainly in the rural parts of the country.
