By Lewis S Teh
The Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Justice has begun a two-day drafting meeting with a focus on responding to the UN Human Rights Commission report on Liberia, regarding the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment (OPCAT).
The meeting kicked off here Thursday, January 4, 2024, in concert with the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Justice, bringing together participants from the Judiciary, the Liberia National Police, and relevant civil society organizations.
The drafting meeting was predicated upon the UN Human Rights Commission’s presentation to the Government of Liberia after a visit by the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) from 29 October to 2 November 2018.
The SPT, among others, advised the government to take progressive steps towards removing laws on its books that promote torture, and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The document also highlights a need for prison reforms in the country.
Liberian authorities were requested to within six months provide a response which gives a full account of the actions taken to implement the recommendations contained in the SPT’s report.
The drafting meeting provided a platform for the Liberian authorities and stakeholders to brainstorm on a consolidated response to the SPT’s report highlighting efforts and steps that have been taken to address concerns highlighted in the report.
The Head of the Human Rights and Protection Division at the Ministry of Justice Kutaka Togbah, said he remains hopeful that the response will be submitted to the Subcommittee in a timely manner.
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Tokpa indicated that the response was “long overdue.” Logistical and technical support for the drafting meeting was provided by a local civil society organization – Serving Humanity for Empowerment and Development or SHED.
SHED has been working with other rights-based groups including Prison Fellowship and Rural Human Rights Activists Program in lending support to the Ministry of Justice to ensuring a human rights-friendly prison environment in Liberia. Editing by Jonathan Browne
