Monrovia – The Civil Society Consortium of Liberia has endorsed a joint assertion from 4 opposition political events, demanding the quick appointment of a Particular Prosecutor to research alleged abuses and misconduct within the Capitol arson case.
By Jaheim Tumu
In a launch issued on Tuesday in Monrovia, the Democratic Watch Initiative and the Liberia CSO Watch Community, working below the umbrella of the Civil Society Consortium, asserted that allegations of torture, witness tampering, and political persecution can’t be ignored. The Consortium contains 5 legally registered organizations.
The group characterised the case as a troubling breakdown of regulation and due course of. They highlighted experiences of unlawful detention, coerced confessions, bodily and psychological abuse, and makes an attempt to silence witnesses. The Consortium particularly named Thomas Etheridge, Andrew Lawson, Albert Weah, John Nyanti, and Christian Koffa as alleged victims of a sample of abuse by state safety actors.
Considerations had been raised relating to constitutional violations, significantly the suitable to bail and truthful therapy as assured by Article 21 of the 1986 Structure. The Consortium additionally questioned the credibility of ongoing investigations by the Liberia Nationwide Police and the Ministry of Justice, stating that these establishments can not successfully examine themselves amid critical claims of bias and misconduct.
On Tuesday, 4 main opposition political events issued a joint name for President Joseph Boakai to nominate a Particular Prosecutor to research allegations of police misconduct, witness tampering, and mishandling of proof within the ongoing Capitol arson case.
The events—Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Various Nationwide Congress (ANC), Residents Motion for Change (CMC), and the Motion for Financial Empowerment (MOVEE)—voiced their issues in a press release launched on Monday, asserting that the present investigation has been marred by irregularities that threaten the integrity of the justice system.
“As a result of the police and the Ministry of Justice can not examine themselves, we imagine that the appointment of a particular prosecutor—with a letter patent authorizing the investigation and prosecution of legal conduct, witness tampering, and the mishandling of proof—will finest serve the pursuits of justice… It isn’t solely the rights of Liberian residents below the Structure which can be at stake, however the Structure itself,” the joint assertion stated.
The opposition events stated they had been alarmed by experiences surrounding the investigation and arrest of lawmakers and personal residents linked to the Capitol hearth—initially declared arson by police investigators.
“We’re involved and want to deliver to the eye of the Liberian public and our worldwide companions problems with grave concern relating to the investigation and arrest of sure lawmakers and different Liberian residents… Based mostly on the info and in accordance with the regulation… we request the appointment of a particular prosecutor to research and, the place vital, prosecute confirmed cases of witness tampering by sure members of the Liberian safety forces.”
Echoing the opposition’s demand, the civil society group known as for a Particular Prosecutor who’s absolutely impartial with the authority to uncover the reality, defend witnesses, and guarantee transparency. Additionally they urged the discharge or formal charging of people in extended detention and demanded the publication of all investigative findings for public accountability.
The Consortium warned that the manipulation of justice, particularly in politically delicate instances, may result in worldwide backlash and jeopardize Liberia’s democratic stability. The assertion clarified that this stance is “not a political endorsement, however a principled stand for reality, equity, and institutional credibility.”
The group urged President Joseph Boakai to behave decisively and appoint a Particular Prosecutor immediately.
The discharge was signed by Mark Mulla, Chairman of the Democratic Watch Initiative, and Wilmot Gibson, Chairman of the Liberia CSO Watch Community, each affirming the Consortium’s dedication to justice and the safety of constitutional rights for all Liberians.
