UNMIL|PR 44
Monrovia, Liberia - The United
Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) today launched its third public report
on the promotion and protection of human rights in Liberia, covering the
months of December 2005 and January 2006. The report is intended to increase
public awareness of the human rights situation in the country.
The report highlights a number of positive human rights developments that took place during the period covered, including the coming into force of the new Rape Law in January. "In view of the frequent reports of serious sexual and gender based violence received by UNMIL, it is crucial that the new Rape Law is implemented in courts throughout the country," said Ms. Dorota Gierycz, Chief of UNMIL Human Rights and Protection Section. "If fully implemented, this law will act as a deterrent to rape in the future as it will help ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice," Ms. Gierycz added. Another positive development was the establishment of the Independent Nomination Committee of Experts, which will nominate members of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).
Nevertheless, much work still needs to be done. UNMIL continued to receive numerous reports of human rights violations throughout Liberia. Rule of law remained weak, and the authorities frequently failed to uphold due process rights. Detention conditions also remained poor and reports of abuses by private security guards working on rubber plantations were also received. UNMIL's bi-monthly report provides recommendations to government authorities to address these problems.
UNMIL looks forward to working with the new government, which assumed office during the reporting period, as well as non-governmental organizations in improving the human rights environment in Liberia. Two previous public reports on the promotion and protection of human rights in Liberia, covering the months of August - November 2005, were released earlier. All the reports are available on the UNMIL website: www.unmil.org.