-U.S. State Department’s 2024 Human Rights Report Reveals
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia – Liberia’s human rights record in 2024 remains marred by a disturbing pattern of extrajudicial killings committed by state security forces, according to the U.S. State Department’s annual human rights report. The findings reveal a system where unlawful killings by government agents persist with little consequence, leaving families without justice and eroding public trust in law enforcement institutions.
The report documents multiple cases of arbitrary or unlawful killings attributed to government forces over the past year. One of the most prominent incidents occurred in April at Fish Town Central Prison, where an inmate died under suspicious circumstances while in custody. The death triggered violent protests from local residents, who vandalized the prison and facilitated the escape of several detainees. Authorities later charged six corrections officers in connection with the incident, but the outcome of the case raised serious concerns about accountability. Four of the officers were cleared of wrongdoing, one was dismissed for failing to cooperate with the investigation, and only one remained under scrutiny by year’s end.
This pattern of minimal consequences for security force abuses has fueled frustration among civil society groups, who argue that Liberia’s justice system is ill-equipped to hold perpetrators accountable. The Liberia National Police, tasked with investigating such cases, has faced criticism for its slow and often opaque handling of allegations against its own officers. In May, the police dismissed Patrolman Jerome Tokpah after he allegedly attacked a civilian, Courage Tarr, with a machete in an act of brutal police violence. Tokpah was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault, but the case remained unresolved months later, reflecting the systemic delays that plague Liberia’s judicial process.
Extrajudicial executions and excessive use of force by law enforcement have deepened mistrust between communities and the state, particularly in rural areas where oversight is weakest. Families of victims often face intimidation when seeking justice, and witnesses fear retaliation if they come forward. The National Commission on Human Rights of Liberia has repeatedly called for stronger protections for civilians and more rigorous internal disciplinary measures within security agencies, but reforms have been slow to materialize.
Meanwhile, Liberia continues to reckon with unresolved crimes from its civil war era, where warlords and fighters have largely evaded prosecution. The conviction of former militia leader Kunti Kamara in a French court for crimes against humanity offered a rare moment of accountability, but domestically, efforts to address wartime atrocities remain stagnant. Many Liberians see the ongoing impunity for present-day abuses as an extension of the country’s failure to confront its violent past.
Press Freedom Under Siege
Journalists and government critics faced escalating repression. In August, nine Monrovia City Corporation employees were fired for criticizing officials on social media, while Radio Kakata’s manager was suspended under dubious “financial malfeasance” claims after critical reporting. New accreditation rules for journalists covering the Executive Mansion—including intrusive police and tax clearance requirements—were widely condemned as censorship tools. “These policies aim to silence dissent, not ensure professionalism,” a media advocate told local press.
A System Stacked Against Workers
The report exposes rampant exploitation, particularly in Liberia’s vast informal sector (90% of workers). While laws nominally protect unionization, public-sector employees remain barred from collective bargaining. A 2023 court ruling upheld this restriction, sparking protests from civil society. Labor inspectors, underfunded and prone to bribery, routinely fail to enforce safety standards—a negligence underscored by the March deaths of 10 miners in a preventable mudslide at an illegal gold mine.
Judicial Failures and Pretrial Injustice
Liberia’s justice system is riddled with corruption and dysfunction. Sixty percent of pretrial detainees are held beyond the 180-day legal limit, with judges often soliciting bribes for bail. A November case involving the extradition of a Guinean mercenary—secretly handed over without due process—drew rare judicial rebuke but no meaningful reform. Public defenders, chronically understaffed, struggle to provide even nominal representation.
Limited Progress Amid Systemic Abuse
The report notes minor steps forward, including France’s conviction of warlord Kunti Kamara for civil war-era crimes and the dismissal of officials for embezzling refugee funds. However, these isolated actions pale against ongoing violations like FGM (still affecting 50% of rural women) and child marriage (legal at 16 for girls).
The State Department’s findings underscore an urgent need for Liberia to overhaul accountability mechanisms for security forces, repeal anti-press policies and protect journalists, align labor laws with international standards, and address judicial corruption and pretrial detention abuses.
