— LNBA Charges Government
By: G. Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
In a searing response to the recent U.S. 2024 Country Report on Human Rights Practices for Liberia, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has called on the Boakai administration to address the government’s continued systemic human rights violations.
With urgency, the LNBA, through its National President, Cllr. Bonar Varmah, declared that Liberia’s future as a democratic state hinges on whether it can confront and dismantle the entrenched culture of impunity. The Bar President asserted that in order for Liberians to trust in the justice system, the government must break the cycle of impunity. “We must break the cycle of impunity and build a justice system that commands the trust of every Liberian.”
The U.S. State Department report, published earlier this month, offers a bleak snapshot of Liberia’s human rights landscape: extrajudicial killings, torture, prison conditions described as “harsh and life-threatening,” and deeply rooted corruption across all branches of government. It further highlights the erosion of judicial independence, ongoing violence against marginalized communities, and a press corps operating under intimidation. Yet, perhaps most damning is what has not changed.
For the third consecutive year, the report found “no significant improvements” in the country’s human rights situation. It accuses the Liberian government of routinely ignoring credible allegations of abuse and failing to hold perpetrators to account—a charge the LNBA has echoed forcefully. The Bar described the government’s failure to hold perpetrators accountable as a betrayal of public trust, asserting that when state institutions fail to prosecute known abusers, they punish the victims twice.
“The government’s inaction is not merely an oversight; it is a betrayal of its legal and moral duty. When state institutions fail to prosecute known abusers, they not only protect the perpetrators—they punish the victims twice.”
The LNBA’s six-point call to action leaves no ambiguity. It demands the prosecution of all alleged abusers, regardless of status, and insists on an end to political interference in the courts. The association calls for the transformation of prison conditions to meet international standards and urges genuine freedom for the press. It also stresses the need for uncompromising anti-corruption measures and targeted policies to end gender-based violence and discrimination.
The LNBA further notes with grave concern that the report once again records the government’s failure to take credible steps to investigate and hold accountable officials accused of serious abuses. According to the Bar, this continued pattern of impunity undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust in state institutions, and violates Liberia’s obligations under domestic and international law.
The LNBA therefore calls on the Government of Liberia to prioritize the prosecution of all alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses, regardless of position or political affiliation. It urges the strengthening of judicial independence and the protection of courts from political interference. The Bar demands improvement in prison conditions to meet minimum international standards, and the protection and promotion of press freedom to ensure that journalists can operate without fear of reprisal. Furthermore, it calls for decisive action against corruption, including transparent investigations and the enforcement of anti-graft laws. Finally, it emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address gender-based violence, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice.
At the same time, the LNBA reaffirms its commitment to working with all stakeholders, including civil society, international partners, and government institutions, to ensure that Liberia becomes a state where human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled for all.
“Liberia’s democratic progress cannot be sustained if serious human rights violations are ignored year after year,” said Cllr. Bonar M. Varmah.
