The NEWS (Monrovia)
Jimmey C. Fahngon
10 March 2008
Monrovia — The United Nations Independent Expert on Technical Cooperation and Advisory Services in the Field of Human Rights, Dr. Charlotte Abaka has expressed frustration over the continuous delay to establish the National Independent Human Rights Commission of Liberia (NIHRCL) as was agreed upon by the framers of the Accra Peace Agreement.
Speaking to journalists following a five-day visit to Liberia, Dr. Abaka said the establishment of the NIHRCL was cardinal to ensuring that all of the people of Liberia are treated equally.
The UN Independent Human Rights Expert made the assertion last Friday at a special press briefing held at the headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Monrovia.
She said the delay to establish the rights commission was a serious concern that needed to be addressed.
The UN Rights Expert intimated that the enabling legislation for the establishment of the NIHRCL was enacted in 2005, as such, it was imperative that the Act to amend certain sections of that enabling legislation be put before the Legislature as a matter of urgency.
She said it was expected that the commission would by now be set up to begin work, but unfortunately, it was yet to be established adding, "I just don't know why the delay is all about."
Dr. Abaka said she was worried about the delay in establishing the NIHRCL thus stressing the need for everything to be done as soon as possible so as to ensure that the commission is established.
"The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) mission would be ending by September of this year which means a vacuum could be created if the commission is not established; therefore we must ensure that the NIHRCL is established to replace the TRC," the UN Independent Human Rights Expert noted.
At the same time, Dr. Abaka stressed the need for the Ministry of Gender to initiate the process of drafting a domestic violence law to specifically address serious issue of domestic violence in Liberia.
She said it was saddened for the continuous rise in rape cases in the country despite the enactment of rape law.
Dr. Abaka: "I am concerned about the high incidence of rape and deficiencies in the implementation of the rape law; however, I am encouraged by the fact that the special court to deal with sexual offences would soon be ready and functional and sincerely hope that undue delay in prosecuting such cases would now be a thing of the past."
The UN Executive commended the government for the passage of several legislations especially the amendment of Section 1508 of Chapter 16 of the Labor Practices Law which aims at settling disputes between employers and employees.
She said the establishment of the National Child Labor Commission and the National Anti Human Trafficking Task Force were all commendable initiatives.
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