Ivorian Refugees Spent 50 Days

Ivorian Refugees Spent 50 Days
…In Prison Corridors Without Trial
The 89 Ivorian refugees recently arrested by the joint security forces at the border in Pedebo, Maryland County, in connection with mercenary activities in April 2011, made their first appearance in court in May, after 50 days in pretrial detention at the Maryland County central prison.
According to Article 11 (c) of the Liberian Constitution, all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.
The seven Liberians who were arrested along with the 89 Ivorian nationals on April 1, 2011 were 12 days later and the case was dismissed by the Associate Magistrate for lack of convincing evidence to link the defendants to the crime.
The appearance of the defendants - all Ivorians - in court on May 20, 2011 was prompted upon a writ of ‘habeas corpus’ filed by the Public Defender of Maryland County Abraham Sillah against the state for keeping the 89 suspects under prolonged detention without trial.
The lawyer argued that prolonged detention of the defendants without due process was in violation of their human rights and the Constitution of Liberia.
Article 21 (f) of the Liberian Constitution states: “Every person arrested or detained shall be formally charged and presented before a court of competent jurisdiction within forty-eight hours. Should the court determine the existence of a prima facie case against the accused, it shall issue a formal writ of arrest setting out the charge or charges and shall provide for speedy trial. There shall be no preventive detention.”
The lawyer also argued that since the arrest of the defendants on April 1, 2011 to May 20, 2011, the defendants have been made to sleep in the corridors of the prison compound and are being fed with dry farina on a daily basis.
He said the arrest and detention of the 89 suspects was also in violation of the Liberian Constitution which provides for the right to legal council at every stage of investigation.
Article 21c state that: “Every person suspected or accused of committing a crime shall immediately upon arrest be informed in detail of the charges, of the right to remain silent and of the fact that any statement made could be used against them in a court of law.
Such person shall be entitled to council at every stage of the investigation and shall have the right not to be interrogated except in the presence of council. Any admission or other statements made by the accused in the absence of such council shall be deemed inadmissible as evidence in a court of law.”
Maryland County Attorney Aloysius Allison confirmed that the defendants were rather being kept in the compound of the Harper Central Prison and not the corridors as claimed.
Although Atty. Allison denied reports that the suspects are sleeping in the corridors of prison, however, he could not state where exactly the defendants were sleeping in the compound.
Atty. Allison said the Government of Liberia was not violating the rights of the defendants but rather the government was ensuring that they remain in protective care during their stay in the country.
Our reporter who visited the Harper Central Prison said the suspects were seen laying around the compound on pieces of mats spread on the ground.
He said some of the suspects were also seen eating farina mixed with sugar in buckets while others were seated on pieces of mats conversing with each other.
Liberia has rectified several international conventions including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which was adopted in 1948. Writes, Sam Zota, Jr. first published May 25, 2011 (The News Newspaper)




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JPC Questions Magistrate Dismissal

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) has questioned recent decision believed to have come from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to dismiss a magistrate in Maryland County.
JPC Regional Coordinator for the Diocese of Cape Palmas, Southeastern Region, Thomas Mawolo said the President’s decision followed the recent release of seven Liberian mercenaries who were arrested along with 89 Ivorians by the joint state security of Maryland on suspension of being Liberian mercenaries who were fighting in the Ivorian crisis.
Mr. Mawolo said while it is true that magistrates and other public officials work at the will and pleasure of the President, it was equally important that allegations of misconduct by these officials, especially in the various counties, be thoroughly investigated by independent body before decisions are taken.
He said out of the 96 suspected mercenaries arrested on April 1, seven Liberians were sent to court where they spent 12 days in detention without trial. The case was dismissed by the magistrate for lack of proper evidence.
The JPC Coordinator said the magistrate released the seven Liberians on grounds that the prosecution could not convincingly prove its allegation against the defendants.
Associate Magistrate Jocquette Dioh was reportedly ordered dismissed early this month through a communication from President Sirleaf for releasing the Liberians.
Copies of the President’s communication were allegedly served the offices of the Superintendent, County Attorney and other institutions in the county.
When contacted, the offices of Maryland Superintendent and County Attorney acknowledged the dismissal of the Associate Magistrate, but denied knowledge of the President’s dismissal letter of the magistrate.
A letter marked, EJS/MOS/310/2011, dated May 5, 2011, bearing the signature believed to be that of President Sirleaf, indicated that the dismissal of Associate Magistrate Dioh was based on recommendation from the Minister of Justice for the magistrate’s unauthorized release of seven Liberians.
“…Your dismissal is based upon the recommendation of the Minister of Justice following your unauthorized action to release seven Liberians who had been charged with mercenarism after their return to Liberia from participation in the conflict in La Cote d’Ivoire,” the second paragraph of the letter stated, although the defendants were not convicted of the crime in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Even though the Superintendent’s office denied knowledge of the letter, but the concluding paragraph of the letter instructed the dismissed magistrate to turn over all properties of the Government of Liberia in his possession to Superintendent J. Gbleh-bo Brown. Writes, Sam Zota, Jr.

Facts about HIV/AIDS & the role of the media

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease in which the body’s immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as ‘opportunistic infections,’ and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.
When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body, lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells.
The white blood cells are the immune cells that normally protect us from diseases. The stamp of HIV infection is the progressive loss of a specific type of immune cell called ‘T-helper or CD4’ cells.
As the virus grows, it damages kills these and other cells, weaken the immune system and leaves the individual vulnerable to opportunistic infections and other illnesses, ranging from pneumonia to cancer.
Some common myths and misunderstandings about HIV/AIDS
There are many myths about HIV/AIDS. Most of these myths are based on incorrect information or lack of sufficient knowledge about the disease on the parts of most of our nurses, doctors, health workers, relatives and even the media while some are related to the stigma that is often associated with HIV/AIDS and ignorance.
It has been widely believed among other things that a person with HIV or AIDS looks sickly; that only promiscuous person gets infected, that having HIV is the same as having AIDS, that HIV is a death sentence that an HIV positive person can not bear child….
In dealing with myths, misunderstanding and ignorance about HIV/AIDS, what can the media do?
The media has a pivotal role to play in all aspects of the HIV/AIDS response.
With its wide reaching infrastructure, the media’s ability to change the course of HIV/AIDS is practically unparalleled.
Besides the dissemination of information, the media has the potential to influence attitudes, behavior and even policy making in many ways through greater coverage of the epidemic.
The media also has vital role to play in disabusing the mind set of the public and even those living with the virus about its positives and negatives of the epidemic.

Dealing with myths….

In dealing with myths, misunderstanding and ignorance about HIV/AIDS, we must firstly begin to change mind sets and attitudes of our professionals (nurses, doctors, health workers, journalists, lawyers etc) about the epidemic that information about the virus are not misconstrued amongst the public.

The fact remains that most professionals, including the media have not had sufficient knowledge about the HIV/AIDS epidemic thereby causing panic in the public about the virus.

The truth remains among other things that people with HIV infection often don’t look or feel sick and they may not even know that they are infected.

In some cases, even those with a very low T-cell or CD4 cell count may look healthy.
When the epidemic began in the early 1980s, the first cases of HIV an AIDS were found among men who had sex with men (MSM) in major cities. Today, however, the picture of the epidemic is changing. Many new cases of HIV are occurring among heterosexual women of color, ethnic minorities and people living in rural areas.

While the number of new cases is still high among MSM, it is important to note that HIV is transmitted primarily through risky sexual and drug-taking behaviors and anyone engaging such behavior risks HIV infection, regardless of the gender their partners.

Being HIV positive and having an AIDS diagnosis are not in any way the same.
AIDS occurs only after a long period of HIV infection, during which the body’s immune system has been badly damaged and it is diagnosed when certain opportunistic infections are present.

Another aspect in the HIV/AIDS response that requires massive attention and the necessary awareness is the issue of stigma and discrimination.

In our subsequent edition, we’ll explore how individuals and organizations around the world can help reduce stigma and discrimination and what the National HIV and AIDS Workplace Policy says.

‘Death trap’!

The lives of thousands of people (women, children, students, street peddlers, motorcyclists and other residents) roaming the overcrowded streets of Monrovia, especially the Johnson Street area are being threatened by an opened sewage closed to the sidewalk of the street.
The ‘death trap’ situated on Johnson and Carey Streets that is usually seen crowded during school hours with students, mainly from the J. W. Pearson Elementary School and other students.
The sidewalk meant for pathway for pedestrians is evidently seen occupied by shoe-shine boys, money exchangers, and other peddlers at the detriment of those roaming the street daily.
Despite the danger that the opened sewage system is posing to the lives of people roaming street, residents of the community are also taking advantage of the situation to dispose of their wastes and other garbage.
The pit according to one of the street peddlers who only referred to himself as Jerry was left open by the Chinese Company CICO upon the completion of the road late April.
Jerry who was, himself seen with assorted goods in a wheelbarrow standing just next to the pit was endangering the lives of many pedestrians mainly at night.

Sea erosion threatens Buchanan city

Residents of the Port City of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County are living in total fear for the raging sea erosion that is said to be gradually encroaching on the city.
“We are living here in Buchanan, especially those of us residing in this Fanti Town only by the Grace of God; at night when we are going to bed, we only give our lives to God, because we don’t know when the sea will clear us from here. All the other houses that were in front of us have already been cleared by the sea, and we don’t have money to relocate,” 70 year-old Anthony Nimley told our reporter.
Mr. Nimley who is said to have resided in the Fanti Town community for over 30 years told our reporter that the community has for the past years been lacking safe drinking water and toilet facilities.
He said as a result of the lack of safe drinking water and toilet facilities, the residents are being constrained to drink from wells water and use the beaches for latrine.
“We are calling on the government and other none-governmental organizations in the country to come to our aid, our children are dying every day of different kinds of sicknesses, especially cholera and diarrhea and the waste of all is the sea that is coming to clear us from here, we do not have money to fine place to another place. We can’t sleep sound in the night because we are afraid that the sea doesn’t take us away|,” Mamie Morton, mother of three children said.
Fanti Town is considered by residents as one of the many slum communities in Buchanan.
Our reporter who visited the community observed that entire community was covered with an unpleasant odor perhaps from the beach.
It was also observed that group of people, including men; women and children were seen along the beach apparently defecating while others were confidently relaxing and carrying on normal activities on the beach that is just next to the community.
According to our reporter, most of the houses on the right side of Preston Street lift form the ever busy Tubman Street is gradually being encroached on, as the sea is seen just a stone throw from the road.
In 2009, local authorities in Grand Bassa County, led by Superintendent Julia D. Cassell launched $3 Million United States dollars fund drive aimed at generating funds that will help remedy the sea erosion that is gradually encroaching on the City.

“Free the people, if…”

-JPC warns govt.

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) has warned that the government of Liberia stands the chance of setting free dozens of potential rapist and other alleged criminals due to their (government) inability to provide sufficient evidence for prosecution.
JPC’s National Director, Cllr. J. Augustine Toe said if the government seeks to life in conformity with the constitution of the Republic of Liberia it must ensure that those arrested and in detention at the Monrovia Central Prison and prison facilities are speedily prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Article 21 (f) of the Liberian Constitution states, “Every person arrested or detained shall be formally charged and prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction within forty-eight hours. Should the court determine the existence of a prima facie case against the accused, it shall issue a formal writ of arrest setting out the charge or charges and shall provide for a speedy trial.”
“I was recently in a meeting at Justice Ministry and the Chief Prosecutor of the special unit set up by the government of Liberia to speedily prosecute sexual and gender based violence cases in country, the SGBV Crimes Unit, confirmed that there are currently over 90 rape cases at the Monrovia Central Prison that the government is finding very difficult in getting sufficient evident to prosecute; this I say is human rights violation. The JPC has no interest in seeing potential rapists being set free, but if you do not have evident to prosecute the people than set them free because that’s what the law says,” Cllr. Augustine Toe said.
He made the statement on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the Ministry of Gender and Development during the celebration of the first anniversary of the Journalists Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (JASAGBV).
Cllr. Toe told partners in the fight against sexual and gender based violence in Liberia to go beyond mere workshops where according to him ‘people will only come to get the setting fees that will be provided and leave without understanding the dynamics of sgbv in their communities and homes’ but rather fine means of sustaining program that will help provide the needed education and training for families especially young people to understand the issue of sgbv in the country.
Also speaking, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Rule of Law, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu said the establishment of the media group to join the fight against sgbv indicates that the wine of change is blowing over the Liberian media.
“I am convinced that the simple but profound theme-Together We Will Report Gender Based Violence- is a powerful indicator of your commitment to eradicate our societies of the kind of behavior that dehumanizes the women and children in our homes, in our families and in our communities,” the UNMIL Deputy boss said.
Madam Mensa-Bonsu recounted that in January & February of 2008 out of the over 200 rape cases that were reported for those months, 17 cases involved infants (babies) from 5 years and below.
She said rape and other forms of SGBV are still most frequently committed serious crimes in the country and the tendency to quietly settle these cases out of court offers sanctuary to perpetrators and inhibits the willingness of victims to seek redress which is factors that best promote the continued commission of SGBV in the country.
The UNMIL Deputy boss said a recent report on rape sponsored by the UN Response to Rape Group (December 2009) underscored that there is serious distinct divide between the urban and rural communities in reporting rape cases.
The report indicated that during the period under review, 68% of rape cases were reported in the urban areas while 34% were reported in rural areas, which indicate the need for more awareness in the rural parts of the country.
Serving as guest speaker, the Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), T. Nelson Williams challenged the media to go beyond reporting the issue of SGBV in the country.
For his part, JASAGBV’s President, Lawrence Fahnbulleh stressed the need for support to the media group to enable it take the SGBV awareness to every parts of the country.
The Journalists Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (JASAGBV ) formally the Anti-Rape Reporters Association of Liberia (ARRAL) was established on February 12 2009, by the Government of Liberia in collaboration with the United Nations Mission Liberia (UNMIL) to join the fight against gender based violence, especially rape that continue to be on an alarming rate in the country.

Wetlands conservation involves everyone

-EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the conservation of wetlands in Liberia should not only remain squarely in the hands of the EPA, Ministry of Lands Minds and Energy and the Monrovia City Council (MCC) but should rather involve every well meaning Liberian.

EPA Executive Director, Dr. Alfred Armah said the benefits of conserving wetlands needs to be underscored as a priority and well understood by all government ministries, agencies and community members.

Speaking at programs marking the celebration World Wetlands Day (WWD), under the theme: “Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change,” on the Samuel K. Doe Boulevard, Dr. Armah encouraged every Liberian to avoid the misuse of wetlands in their various communities.

He said the RAMSAR Protocol adopted 1974 in Uren, and the first celebration in 1997 is intended to raise awareness around the world about the importance of wetland conservation.

For her part, the WWD Focal Point, Cecelia Kollie said wetlands serves as key ecosystems for biodiversity conservation of various endangered, rare and native species and ease global warming impacts by absorbing carbon-dioxide from the air.

Madam Kollie said mangroves within the wetlands remove and store green house gases from the earth’s atmosphere slowing the onset of global warming and helps to reduce floor impacts and act like giant sponges slowing the fow of surface water thus reducing the impact of flooding.