26 August 2008
The United Nations Human Rights Committee expressed deep concern today at new death penalty legislation authorized by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, contravening an international treaty on civil and political rights.
The Committee - in charge of monitoring compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) - observed that Liberia is party to the Second Optional Protocol to that pact aimed at the abolition of the death penalty.
"The Act signed by the President of Liberia on 22 July 2008 therefore constitutes a clear breach by Liberia of its international legal obligations under the Second Optional Protocol," the Committee stated in a press release.
The new law in Liberia provides that "in the event death occurs during the commission of a crime of armed robbery, terrorism or hijacking, the accused shall be sentenced to death by hanging or imprisonment for life without possible parole."
The Committee pointed out that as a signatory to the ICCPR's Second Optional Protocol since 2005, Liberia has committed to ensuring that, as the pact states, "no one within (its) jurisdiction ( ) shall be executed."
Further, the Protocol notes that States party to it should also "take all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty within (their) jurisdiction."
The rights body "urges Liberia to revisit the Act for possible amendment as soon as possible and encourages it, in the meantime, to maintain the moratorium in place since 1979."
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I think Liberian citizens need to live in peace in their own homes. People being terrorized are to be punish for the crime commited. UN Human Rights can say all they have to say but we Liberians will stand with the decision from our President. It been too long of a years of turture and killing but now we need peace for all. I support President Johnson's government decision.
Amen, my brother.
Is this the same UN, that body of paper pushers in New York City, that the Sudanese head of State has told, to quote Mugabe, "to go hang," in the face of documented and provable genocide by the Sudanese Government?
Why, when it comes to Africans, it issues ungrounded commands ad libitum. Of course, the Madam knows what to do: ignore their lie,lie humanism, just as the Yanks have: kill, and if convicted, and the circumstances announce that "YOU SHALL DIE, THEN DIE YOU MUST."
I agree with the Yankees.
Would that the Madam tell… [Read Full Text]
The UN Human Rights Commission is a tiger with no teeth. As it can do nothing to help anyone, it needs to stay out of the business of Liberia. After almost 14 years in a refugee camp in Ghana, a young friend of mine has at last been able to return to Liberia. Sadly he informs me there is no work and there are many bandits and criminals, so it is not safe at this time. President Sirleaf has done what must be done to let murderers and terrorist know that they will be subject to… [Read Full Text]
I think the United Nations Human Rights Committee should leave Liberia alone. We are just coming from war and there is an urgent need to restore order and the rule of law in our society. The death penalty is the only language that these hardened criminals understand. Historically, the death penalty debate has focused on the noisy, often emotional issues of its morality. Some Christians employ the Holy Bible in opposition, while others quote the scriptures in zealous support. The fact is, from man's earliest days, capital punishment has received strong and continuing public support and has survived repeated legislative… [Read Full Text]
Arm robberers are not the most threat to the Liberian people. The most threat are the very same government officials in power. So,please stop the Liberian syndrome. If it was not for the UN, then Liberia would be in a mess. It is the same UN that President Sirleaf has requested their delay in Liberia because her government has proven beyound all doubts that it is just a failure. Stop killing innocent people because of the dime they are stealing, kill government officials because of the thousands and millions that they are stiealing. Liberians need to think ahead and think… [Read Full Text]
I believe that President Sirleaf did the right thing; and she has absolutely done many good things for Liberia. She took an oath to protect her citizens and stood by her word. She has the right to authorize the hanging of criminals (terriorists) who prey on hard working citizens, depriving them of their restful nights and the right to enjoy their hard-earned properties. However, the Human Right Watch groups could choose to protect all Liberians, be held fully responsible for ANY armed robbery, fully compensate the victims for their losses, award USD$500,000 to each rape victim and resurrect the dead… [Read Full Text]
I will like to say to the United Nation Human right commision that President Sirleaf took the right decision by signing into law the execution of armed robbers and other criminals who go about terrorizing peaceful citizen that worked hard for their hard earned money and properties. Therefore, president Sirleaf took the right decision because,she took an oath to served and protect the Liberian people. The signing of this new armed robbery bail by the president will also served as an deterrant for those criminals who are bent over depriving peaceful Liberian the right to live quitely.The crime wave across… [Read Full Text]
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Let the U.N Human Rights Committee understand, that Liberia's need for social justice is very important to its people. Liberians are very tire of the increasing crime level in our communities. Not every Arm Rubber is going to be kill. It is those who think they are entitle to killing people for their personal belongings. Why should someone deny peaceful citizens and immigrants their rights to live, be granted life as if, they deserve the rights to kill, rape, and inflect some kind of torture on their victims?
I live in the United States, and People like that(who kill people)… [Read Full Text]