Monrovia, Liberia – In an attempt to evaluate Liberia’s human rights record, Madam Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in people, particularly women and children, has begun an official visit. The tour, which lasts for a few days, will concentrate on important topics such as child rights, birth registration, sexual and gender-based violence, and human trafficking.
In order to assess Liberia’s progress and obstacles in tackling human rights issues, including trafficking, Madam Mullally and her team will meet with government representatives, interested parties, and Liberia National Police personnel. To learn more about the conditions there, the crew will also travel to Bong County for a field visit.
Madam Mullally underlined the significance of her work, stating that her main focus is on understanding and solving the dangers that women and children in Liberia confront. “This visit is a chance to evaluate the systems in place to combat both domestic and international human trafficking. The effects of these problems on women and children, who frequently suffer the most from these human rights abuses, are of special concern to us,” she said.
The Special Rapporteur emphasized that her team will investigate the importance of birth registration, which is still a major problem in Liberia, as well as the state of child rights. In addition, she emphasized the significance of tackling sexual and gender-based violence, a continuing issue that compromises people’s rights and dignity.
In order to obtain thorough information, the visit will involve talks with important government departments, civil society groups, and law enforcement agencies. Madam Mullally and her colleagues will share their first findings and suggestions with the Liberian government at a debriefing at the conclusion of their tour. Following that, a comprehensive report detailing the team’s findings and suggested steps to improve Liberia’s human rights framework would be delivered to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Madam Mullally and her group and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to working with international partners and resolving human rights concerns.
Minister Nyanti said, “We are honored to host Madam Mullally and her team during this important visit,” speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. Upholding human rights and tackling the underlying causes of trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and other issues that affect our vulnerable people are priorities for Liberia. The Liberian government is eager to collaborate closely with the Special Rapporteur in order to produce measurable results that will improve the lives of our people.
The importance of international cooperation in bolstering Liberia’s institutional ability to fight human trafficking and defend the rights of women and children was also recognized by Foreign Minister Nyanti.
The visit by Madam Mullally coincides at a critical moment in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and rebuild its institutions in the wake of the conflict. There are still gaps in tackling systemic concerns including trafficking, insufficient birth registration systems, and sexual and gender-based violence, despite notable advancements in some areas.
The increased concern about regional and global factors that make these issues worse is reflected in the Special Rapporteur’s attention on cross-border trafficking. Her interactions with stakeholders and local communities will yield insightful information on the real-life experiences of individuals who are most impacted by these problems.
It is anticipated that the tour would provide practical suggestions that will assist Liberia in fulfilling its international human rights commitments. The goal of Liberia’s cooperation with the UN and other partners is to improve its legislative frameworks, enforcement strategies, and systems of assistance for vulnerable groups.
Addressing human trafficking and associated human rights breaches is a global priority, as demonstrated by the United Nations Special Rapporteur’s visit. This presents Liberia with a chance to show its commitment to these values and deepen its relationship with the global community.
