Washington, DC — Liberia's President Charles Taylor has referred to the case of human rights lawyer Tiawan Gongloe who was beaten and injured while in detention, and warned that under the state of emergency imposed in February, the authority of the police cannot be challenged.
In a press conference in Monrovia Monday, President Taylor condemned the beating of Gongloe and said those inmates responsible for the act have been taken for questioning by the Justice minister. But he said that after undergoing medical treatment in hospital, Gongloe will face further investigation by police.
The authorities have blamed Gongloe's injuries on other prison inmates who were angry because Gongloe refused to pay unofficial 'prison fees'; however Gongloe himself and others say he was badly beaten by security officers.
Gongloe was detained by police officers on the evening of April 24 and held without warrant or charge. As a result of beatings during the night, he had to be carried out of the cell the next morning and was taken to S.D.A Cooper hospital in Monrovia.
Prior to Taylor's press conference, witnesses said police officers had visited the hospital, Monday, in an attempt to have Gongloe discharged from the hospital and move him back to prison. Doctors caring for him, however, said Gongloe was not fit to be released. Hospital staff refused to release Gongloe's medical records to the police.
According to a Monrovia newspaper, Monday, the National Human Rights Center of Liberia, a coalition of nine NGOs, has demanded that Tiawan Gongloe be released unconditionally. The group said that he had been repeatedly beaten while in detention, burned with candle wax and injured in his right eye and left ear, to the extent that his hearing was impaired. The group also reportedly claimed that Gongloe was suffering from internal bleeding and that there was blood in his urine.
Reacting to the public outcry over the case, President Taylor said Tiawan Gongloe could not simply be seen as a human rights lawyer. "Gongloe is not only a lawyer but also a politician who worked as a special assistant during the interim administration of Dr. Amos Sawyer, " Taylor said.
He said last Friday's ban on political activities and gatherings was intended to reinforce the state of emergency. He said the ban on public meetings was intended to ensure that "mischief makers" did not cause trouble and attempt to blame it on his government.
He had harsh words for the United Nations Security Council which is considering the extension of sanctions against Liberia. He said the United Nations and international community were interfering in Liberia's political process. "The International Community wants to impose a puppet government on the Liberian people and they also want to take over the resources: oil, diamonds of Liberia," Taylor said.
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Despite initial doubts that opposition leader Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf would go ahead with a planned visit to Liberia at the weekend from her base in neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire, she has arrived in Monrovia. The ban on all public gatherings has forced changes to her itinerary, however.
Speaking to allAfrica.com, Mrs. Sirleaf, leader of the Unity Party, said her party officials intend to meet with the Minister of Justice to get "clarification and proper interpretation" on which political activities are banned so as to adjust her plans and work within the confines of government's ban during her visit.
Mrs. Sirleaf said that addressing the situation of Tiawan Gongloe was at the top of her list of priorities.
She condemned his beating and said those who carried out the act were "cowards". She said such acts intimidate people and affect the image of Liberia. She described Gongloe as an "activist and constructive person" and promised to discuss his release with government.
Mrs Sirleaf said she was aware that her decision to visit at this moment was being questioned by many, but she asked: "If we stay in safety and comfort abroad and cannot give our partisans support at this time, how can we be their leaders?"
