- Says NAYMOTE Boss
The Executive Director of National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections (NAYMOTE), Eddie Jarwolo, says the US State Department’s Annual Human Rights Report for the past years have indicted Liberia.
Mr. Jarwolo said with this urgent actions are required by Liberian state actors to address the situation as it relates to the report.
He pointed out that it is only through democracy that societies can build social trust that enables them to endure in a crisis, maintain national resilience in the face of hardship, heal deep societal divisions through inclusive participation and dialogue, retain confidence that sacrifice will be shared, and the rights of all citizens respected.
Mr. Jarwolo in a press release issued over the weekend, said NAYMOTE welcomes the statement from the U.S. Embassy that Liberians in government are designated as corrupt actors by the U.S. State Department and U.S. Treasury Department and calls for due process and sanctions.
NAYMOTE Executive Director: “I call on the U.S. Government and international partners to support and commit to the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia which will address human rights abuse and economic crimes in the country.”
Mr. Jarwolo is at the same time challenging Liberian voters to hold elected officials accountable, vote out of office, incumbents who are indicted as corrupt and human rights abusers while encouraging them to promote electoral and political accountability.
He said NAYMOTE is also deeply worried about statements from Congressman Christ Smith on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act linking Liberian government officials to political corruption.
“These statements and allegations have indicted the country and have the propensity to undermine the country’s governance process, place the country in a difficult position to attract foreign direct support, investment opportunities and assistance from the United States government towards public sector development in support of the pro poor agenda.” Mr. Jarwolo stressed.
He indicated that Liberia as a beneficiary of U.S. Government assistance and considering that the Americans are committed to placing human rights as the center of their foreign policy and cherished democratic values and principles, President George Weah-led government should commit and support strong actions to improve human rights standards, adherence to the rule of law, promote political accountability, reforming the criminal justice system to be more responsive, defend democracy, and fight corruption, among others.
