The Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia has officially launched a project for the abolition of death penalty in Liberia. The project was launched by the British ambassador accredited near Monrovia, Neil Bratley, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Corina Hotel in Monrovia.
The project aims to increase public support for the abolition of the death penalty and draw up a clear plan for the ratification and domestication of the protocol, with all prisoners removed from “death row” and the successful passage of the law through the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate. 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.
Speaking at the launching program, the British Ambassador, Neil Bratley, said he was delighted, through his office, to support the work of the CSO Platform in Liberia through the death penalty abolition project.
According to him, the United Kingdom is committed to the universal abolition of the death penalty. He said the fact that global trend towards the abolition of the death penalty is continuing in all parts of the world. “It is not a solution to be responding to a crime, no matter how hideous it is, and to also be committing another crime.
“Any miscarriage of justice leading to the imposition of death penalty is irreversible and irreparable. Justice can be done while maintaining the rights to life,” he disclosed.
The project, which he termed as very serious, will require consultation and stakeholders’ engagements as well as public support to identify pathways toward the rectification and domestication of the key instruments in Liberia.
At the same time, the Assistant Justice Minister for Codification, Rancy Ziankahn, at the launching ceremony pledged government’s commitment towards the initiative.
According to him, the government’s commitment to the process is to accept the recommendation from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) during its third circle to abolish the death penalty as a capital punishment.
He pointed out that members of the 53rd National Legislature went through the document, which is now in committee room, and they remain committed to ensuring that members of the 54th National Legislature will do the needful thing soon in order to have the instruments passed into law.
Meanwhile, The CSO Platform Chairman of the Board, Rev. Francis Kollie, commended the British Embassy for their support towards the project.
He said the need for collective and collaboration efforts from civil society community to campaign and ensure that death penalty and torture is abolished in Liberia.
The project is, among other things, geared towards a more just and humane society and to also foster dialogue and raise awareness amongst stakeholders across the borders of the country in order to end inhumane practices.
He further said that the death penalty should be unacceptable under the laws of Liberia and Liberia’s judicial system.