The Liberia Association of Psychosocial Services (LAPs), a non- governmental organization based in the country, has celebrated World Day Against Torture.
The celebration was marked by a grand parade in the streets of Sinje, Garwula District, Grand Cape Mount County.
World Day Against Torture was organized by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for victims of torture.
This year’s celebration brought together scores of participants from schools in Garwula District and its environment, including health workers, Street Child representative, Defense for Children representative, local county officials, LAPs head office and Sinje branch office staff, among others.
Serving as the guest speaker of the program, Philip Zodua, proxy for Representative Mambu Sonii, stated that torture was wrong and should not be practiced in Liberia.
According to Zodua, torture leaves victims traumatized. He said torture is being practiced around the world and every effort is needed to address the issue because it has the potential of creating killers within societies.
Zodua spoke on issues concerning torture globally, but ended by calling for a collective effort to address the issue.
For his part, Seidu Swaray, the Executive Director of LAPs, told the jubilant participants that the ceremony was meant to increase awareness on torture in Liberia and the world at large.
Swaray noted that LAPs was established to break cycles of violence and dignify the lives of survivors of traumatic events, such as war torture, migration, disaster and sexual and gender-based violence.
LAPs boss also noted that his organization is dedicated to providing relief to survivors of war trauma to enable them to effectively function in their communities.
LAPs is also in the business of providing psychosocial counseling to victims of violence.
Participants at the program commended LAPs for brining the program at their door steps.
According to the participants, LAPs should decentralize its operation across Liberia. Already LAPs is in few counties in Liberia.
The World Day against Torture was climaxed by football and kickball games among students of Sinje Public School and AGM school in Garwula District, Grand Cape Mount County.
