The British Embassy near Monrovia, and the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform (CSO-HRAP) of Liberia, have officially launched a human rights campaign aimed at increasing public awareness and support for the abolition of the death penalty in Liberia.
The campaign, titled the “Abolition of the Death Penalty Project,” seeks to galvanize public backing for the elimination of capital punishment and establish a clear pathway for the ratification and domestication of protocols.
This would ensure the removal of all prisoners from ‘death row’ and facilitate the successful passage of laws through both houses of the legislature. The overarching goal is to prevent future death sentences and to encourage public acceptance of non-violent alternatives for punishing crimes.
Development partners, Civil Society actors and governmental authorities attended the official launching program from the following institutions: Embassies of Great Britain, France, and Ireland; as representatives of the European Union, ECOWAS, and the Ministry of Justice.
Other entities that attended and participated in the official launching program include the Liberia National Bar Association, National Human Rights Commission, Law Reform Commission, Accountability Lab, Prison Fellowship-Liberia, United Nations Human Rights Commission, among others.
Speaking at the official launch of the abolition of the death penalty project on Wednesday, October 23, British Ambassador to Liberia, Neil Bradley, elaborated that the United Kingdom is proudly supporting the work of the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia through its abolition of the death penalty project.
He stated that the launch of the human rights project is timely because on October 10, 2024, marked the International Community observation of the 22nd World Day Against the Death Penalty.
According to him, the United Kingdom is committed to the universal abolition of the death penalty and the UK has a longstanding policy to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, as a matter of principle.
Ambassador Bradley pointed out that the UK welcomes the fact because the global trend towards the abolition of capital punishment continues in all parts of the world.
“Today, around three-quarters of states are abolitionist, either in law or in practice. However, we should not be complacent in our collective efforts to abolish the death penalty. Last year, recorded global executions soared to the highest number in almost a decade and it has undermined human dignity,” the British Ambassador intoned.
He believes that the ideology of the Death Penalty exacerbates cycles of violence, and it is often used as a tool of repression.
He recalled that in 2005 that Liberia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)-aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
“Under the Protocol, Liberia was required to impose a moratorium on executions and amend its laws to eliminate the death penalty. Through Consultation and engagement with stakeholders, the project aims to increase public support for the abolition of the death penalty and identify a pathway for Liberia’s ratification and domestication of the Protocol”, Ambassador Bradley asserted.
He stressed that the longer-term real-world difference will be no further prisoners sentenced to the death penalty and greater public support for non-violent punishment of crimes.
“Responding to a crime, no matter how heinous, by committing another crime should never be the solution. And any miscarriage of justice leading to the imposition of the death penalty is irreversible and irreparable. Justice can be done, while maintaining the right to life,” he added.
Also speaking at the official launching of the abolition of the death penalty project, Rev. Francis Kollie, Chairman and Chief Advocate of the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia, emphasized that the human rights campaign against capital punishment is a step toward a more just and humane society, which aims at fostering dialogue, raise awareness, and engage stakeholders across the borders of Liberia; from policymakers to grassroot communities to ensure the ending of death penalty, a inhumane practice.
According to him, the execution of the death penalty and torture are not consistent with the right to life and the right to live free from cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.
He mentioned that there is a growing consensus for universal abolition of the death penalty and torture, as such, it is so timely that Liberia is joining her counterparts across the world for the abolishment of torture and the death penalty, two cruel anti-human rights practices meted against an accused individual.
“We need a collective approach from the government of Liberia and the CSO actors to eradicate inhumane treatment, extradition and return of victims who were allegedly tortured in the past. Torture and the death penalty should be totally unacceptable under the laws of Liberia, and other country’s judicial system should frown at these inhumane practices -just like any other “civilized countries” around the world, the Chief Advocate pointed out.
Rev. Kollie accentuated that our collective effort to combat torture and the death penalty send an indication that Liberia is strengthening human rights and justice for all Liberians and other nationals from diverse backgrounds to promote dignity, accountability, and a country free from capital punishment.
He appeals to the Boakai-Koung administration to pardon 12 convicts who are jailed across Liberia from facing the death penalty because the right to life must be respected.
“Let us make this the beginning of a new era of justice, a process that honors life and upholds the dignity of every individual. The British Embassy near Monrovia for its interest in supporting the CSO Platform and other Civil Society organizations working with lawmakers and judiciary authorities to ensure compliance with International Human Rights Instruments including the 2nd Optional Protocol of the ICCPR, which squally highlight the abolishment of death penalty,” Rev. Kollie emphasized.
He recalled that the Plenary of the Liberian Senate in July of 2022, with a unanimous vote of 17, passed a portion of the Penal Code of Liberia to abolish death penalty and other capital offenses, following a recommendation from the Senate’ Committee on Judiciary.
For his part, the Technical Program Lead of the CSO Advocacy Platform of Liberia, Davestus T. James, promised to increase public support by embarking on awareness and outreach in Montserrado County and other parts of Liberia to properly inform the general populace about the significant to abolish death penalty in Liberia because, it is totally inhumane.
He said they are prepared to constructively engage the 55th Legislature for the passage of the abolishment of the death penalty legislative instrument presently at that august body, which is responsible to pass laws.
Mr. James stated that 112 states have abolished the death penalty and expressed optimism that Liberia will adhere to the much-publicized International Protocol that supports the right to life.
Meanwhile, a popular call has been proffered by the CSO Platform, development partners and others who attended the human rights-friendly project- for the 55th Liberian Legislature to timely pass the abolition of death penalty and other capital offenses legislative instruments still at the Capitol Building into law.
