Montserrado County’s district #9 Representative, Frank Saah Foko, has said the use of force by the Liberia National Police (LNP) sets a dangerous precedence that undermines public trust in the law enforcement agencies and threatens the foundation of the democratic society. Representative Foko said the Constitutional right to peaceful protest is an essential pillar of democracy, and no citizen should ever fear such brutal retaliation when exercising that right. “The actions taken today only serve to deepen divisions and perpetuate an atmosphere of fear rather than dialogue and resolution,” Representative Foko observed.
Representative Foko maintained that the peaceful assembly organized to exercise fundamental rights of expression and protest was violently suppressed by the LNP. “The protestors, advocating for their right to assemble and voice their concerns, were subjected to severe force, including live bullets, tear gas, and water cannons, all of which are clear violations of their Constitutional rights. The heavy-handed response by law enforcement stands in stark contrast to the principles of democracy, human rights, and the protection of civil liberties as enshrined in Liberia’s Constitution,” he stated.
“As the Representative of district #9 in Montserrado County, I, Frank Saah Foko, strongly condemn the excessive use of force against peaceful citizens. The Constitution of Liberia guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, protest, and freedom of movement, all of which were grossly infringed upon by today’s actions. It is deeply troubling that citizens expressing their grievances in a non-violent manner were met with brutality from those entrusted to uphold the law.
“In light of these violations, I have taken immediate steps to seek justice on behalf of the affected citizens. I have already reached out to the court system to initiate legal actions against all individuals and institutions responsible for the unlawful actions taken against the protestors, including those who were unlawfully imprisoned. This is not just a fight for the individuals involved, but for the preservation of our democracy and the protection of citizens’ rights,” the lawmaker added.
“As a public servant, I am committed to ensuring that justice is served, and those responsible for this egregious violation are held accountable. I call on all Liberians to stand united in the defense of our Constitutional rights and to support efforts to hold authorities accountable for their actions. This unfortunate incident must not be allowed to go unchecked, and we must remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice and the protection of the rights of all Liberians,” he continued.
