The NEWS (Monrovia)
6 January 2009
Monrovia — A local pro-democracy human rights advocacy organization, Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL), says it is disappointed over several elements of bad governance evident in the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf led government.
In a statement delivered at a Year-end Press Conference in Monrovia recently, RAL Executive Director Jarwlee Tweh Geegbe said, "as we come to the end of half the tenure of the government, the evil agents of bad governance are still visible."
Some of these vices, the rights advocate said, are rampant corruption and the failure of the government to respond to the economic, social and physical securities of the people as promised.
"Corruption, well publicized as the 'Number one public enemy, did emerge victoriously, in contradiction, as the 'Number one, number two, and even number hundred public friend", Mr. Geegbe said.
He said what was so pathetic is that the president, a stanch campaigner against corruption lacks the will power to prosecute officials indicted for corruption by audit reports.
"Unfortunately, the president has become a mere raconteur, now detailing the history of corruption rather than taking practical measures that would curtail these problems", he added.
Other areas of concerns, the RAL Boss said, is the Criminal Justice System which, according to him, is paralyzed and plagued with the issues of corruption, untrained and limited staff.
He described continuous complaints of lack of lawyers by government to prosecute cases as a hindrance to justice which, he said, is the fulcrum of any sound democracy.
"As a result of this, many lingered in pre-trial detentions the longest possible while their rights are violated and abused", he said.
The rights advocate further said that despite intensive trainings provided by international experts, our police still behave unprofessional, noting "drivers and other peaceful citizens have become victims of police brutality while real criminals roam with impunity".
He described these vices as catalysts for insurrections and called on all civil society movements to join the group in fighting them.
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A veteran police officer who became a well educated psychologist was invited to speak to a graduating class of a police academy. He stood before the class and deciding to start with a psychological connotation of a burglary crime scene said, “If you are here today and you know that you are inherently a thieve, please stand up!” After few seconds, the youngest of all future officers in the class stood up. With dropped jaws every one looked at him in bewilderment. Then the guest lecturer asked, “are you really an inherent thieve?’ The student looked around and said, No I am not, but it is sad to see you standing alone”… Unfortunately, in our case, she is standing with a bunch of thieves and power-greed cronies who once paddle the same canoe with her. She got what she wanted! She will do nothing or little to protect us from her creation