Discussion on the proposed amendment to the Public Health Law is on-going at the Liberian Senate on Capitol Hill, with senators suggesting to have more public hearings on the proposed Health Law, particularly on abortion, in order to have deeper understanding of the law before the amendment is done. The instrument was part of the Senate’s agenda on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 but was tabled after debate in order for all senators to have full understanding before its passage.
The 54th Legislature resumed the final sixth session on Tuesday after the conduct of the country’s November 14 run-off election, which was won by the Unity Party (UP) Standard Bearer, Joseph N. Boakai. The defeated out-going President, George M. Weah, of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has since conceded defeat and has congratulated Ambassador Boakai for the win.
During the Tuesday debate on the new amendment to the Public Health Law on abortion, senators, including Jeremiah Koung of Nimba County, the elected Vice President of Liberia, Wellington Geevon Smith of Rivercess County, Prince Moye of Bong County and Commany Wesseh said the amendment of the new Public Health Law should be tabled until the entire Senate can constitute itself into a committee of a whole and invite people with expertise to give their views before the passage.
Since the introduction of the amendment of the Public Health Law, there has been mixed views on declaring abortion a legal thing in Liberia. Some believe that the amendment to the Public Health Law is not in the interest of the country, while others feel that the instrument is in the best interest of the country. The amendment, according to the sponsors, is in line with other neighboring countries’ law on abortion.