8 July 2009
Monrovia — A US-based Liberia Human Rights Campaign (LHRC) has revealed that since the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), made public their report, members of the Commission are receiving fearful threats on their livesA. As a result, most of the TRC Members left their homes and are in hiding.
LHRC further said: "We are told the threats are so real that TRC Commissioners are even refusing to accept phone calls fearing that their calls could be traced. It is based on this that the Liberia Human Rights Campaign, LHRC, is calling on the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf- led Unity Party Government of Liberia, to take all necessary measures to provide full protection to each member of the commission who wants it.
"The international community and people of Liberia will hold the Liberian government personally responsible if any harm was inflicted on any of the TRC members. Any cell phone company that will use its equipments in any criminal manner that will lead to harm to any TRC members, or any Liberian, will face the full weight of the law at the appropriate time."
LHRC is also calling on the United Nations Mission in Liberia, or UNMIL, "to ensure the safety of these brave Liberians. The people of Liberia confidence in the UN presence in Liberia could be severely shaken, if not diminish, if harm was inflicted on any of the TRC members while its troops are in Liberia. For too long the Liberian nation has been held hostage, its development undermined, as a result of years and years of violence and corruption.
"The UN troops in Liberia must move quickly to reassure the people of Liberia that everything will be done to prevent any more escalation of violence in their country. Any attempt to do harm to these TRC members, has the potentials to cause disruption in the country. Or could set the stage for a violent confrontation that could reverse Liberia's stable path".
LHRC further revealed that the threats on the TRC Members are "mainly from former warlord Prince Y. Johnson, Saah Gborlie", noting, "they (those who are making these threats against the TRC members), should be aware that the threats in themselves are criminal acts punishable by law. Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gborlie will also be held personally responsible if anything was to happen to any of the TRC members.
"Such an act will not be forgiven, and will be unkindly looked upon by the Liberian people. These public threats coming from Johnson, Gborlie and others, are grounds for their immediate arrest by the Liberian National Police, assisted by the UN peacekeeping force. These threat makers should recognize that we the people of Liberia will not be intimidated any more, neither coward in submission."
In the main time, Liberia Human Rights Campaign, LHRC, is inviting all patriotic Liberia to a world wide teleconference on July 10, 2009 with the goal of crafting a response to the unfolding events in Liberia, namely, the TRC report and the Liberian people call for a war crimes tribunal in Liberia. "We hope you will join us. The teleconference will be broadcast by the Voice of America," the group concluded.
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Those threatening phone calls on the lives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission members are not surprising. These are some of the mind playing games they used to. It will not be taken lightly. My advice to these brave men and women are:#1. Anytime you receive a phone call document the time and the phone number(S). #2. Do not panic, just stay calm and get as much information you can. #3. If you have any means of recording those threats it will be helpful. #4. Finally, never give out any personal or the commission informations. Those threatening calls should not… [Read Full Text]