By SHALLON S. GONLOR |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
The United Nations human rights experts have called on the Government of Liberia, led by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., to fulfill its obligation under international human rights law by conducting an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into the alleged assault of prominent human rights defender Jonathan M.D. Yanzee in Liberia.
In a joint communication issued on July 29, 2026, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, together with other UN human rights experts, expressed their “most serious concern” over the alleged violent attack against Mr. Yanzee on March 15, 2026, suggesting that he may have been targeted for exercising his right to freedom of expression and for monitoring police conduct during a community election.
The communication disclosed that, following a complaint filed by Mr. Yanzee and an independent review of the allegations, the UN Special Rapporteur formally wrote to the Government of Liberia on April 30, 2026, requesting information and clarification regarding the incident.
According to the UN experts, the Liberian Government was given 60 days to respond but failed to provide any official reply within the stipulated period.
The communication further noted that there has reportedly been no meaningful progress in the investigation since the correspondence was sent.
“Reportedly, since the communication was sent, there has been no significant progress in the investigation process. A copy of the investigation report has allegedly not yet been provided to Mr. Jonathan M.D. Yanzee, and the outcome and findings of the investigation have not been officially communicated by the Liberia National Police,” the UN communication stated.
Mr. Yanzee serves as Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Rights and Development (CHRD), a youth-led civil society organization dedicated to advancing justice, strengthening the rule of law, and promoting the protection of human rights in Liberia.
According to the UN’s account, the alleged incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, March 15, 2026, between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., while Mr. Yanzee was in the 1405 Community of Barnesville Township congratulating individuals elected during a community election that he had observed as part of his human rights work.
The UN experts said officers of the Anti-Robbery Unit (ARU) of the Liberia National Police were conducting an operation in the community related to an alleged electricity theft involving some residents when the incident occurred.
The communication alleges that after Mr. Yanzee asked nearby residents what was happening while observing the operation from a distance, a police officer directed a flashlight into his face before allegedly punching him repeatedly.
The UN further reported that Mr. Yanzee was forcibly placed into what appeared to be a police vehicle, where he allegedly endured additional physical abuse, verbal harassment, and death threats.
According to the allegations, officers inside the vehicle were aware that he was a human rights defender and reportedly threatened that they would “deal with him” before he could continue advocating for other people.
The communication states that the alleged assault left Mr. Yanzee with bleeding from one eye and coughing up blood. Officers also allegedly searched his pockets and confiscated US$360.
The UN communication further alleges that Mr. Yanzee was taken to the Liberia National Police Headquarters and released several hours later after a community member reportedly paid US$30 to police officers. It also claims police photographed him while he was at the station.
Two days later, on March 17, 2026, Mr. Yanzee formally lodged a complaint with the Liberia National Police’s Professional Standards Division. On April 20, the Deputy Head of the division informed him that an investigation had commenced.
Investigators later visited the scene on April 24 and reportedly collected statements from both the complainant and the officers accused in the matter.
While emphasizing that they are not prejudging the accuracy of the allegations, the UN experts reminded the Government of Liberia of its legal responsibility to exercise due diligence by ensuring allegations of abuse are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators held accountable.
“We call for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident and for steps to be taken to prevent further acts of intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders in Liberia in order to ensure they can operate in a safe and enabling environment,” the UN experts stated.
The communication also referred the Government of Liberia to its obligations under international human rights law and other applicable international human rights instruments, urging authorities to guarantee the protection of human rights defenders and safeguard their ability to carry out their legitimate work without fear of violence, intimidation, or retaliation.
The UN experts stressed that protecting human rights defenders is essential to strengthening democratic governance, accountability, and the rule of law, and called on the Liberian Government to take concrete measures to ensure justice is served in the case.
