The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has expressed concern over an upward trend in mob violence over the past months. Of recent, there have been several reported cases of mob violence, which has resulted in the loss of lives while many others sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization, which is a human rights violation of those involved.
According to the Executive Director of WONGOSOL, Esther Davis Yango, these incidents are particularly disturbing as these actions have the tendency to turn those involved against individuals or security forces who attempt to intervene.
Yango stated, “While we regret all other incidents of mob violence reported and sympathize with the victims and their families, our concern is drawn to the case of the lady who was beaten on November 13, 2023, in Paynesville, Redlight Community, Montserrado County.
“This act is condemnable, and no one should go through this act of violence. We are following closely to ensure that she gets justice,” she asserted.
The WONGOSOL boss made the statement Tuesday in Monrovia.
According to her, lately, mob violence has become a frequent occurrence, as alleged criminals are lynched, sometimes to death, by angry mobs, including bystanders who simply have no clue about the issue in the divergence or the person involved.
“All that is required to instigate mob violence is to simply shout ‘rogue’ in a crowded area and to point at somebody. Before the victim realizes what is happening, a huge crowd descends on him or her, and the consequence is instant death or severe aggravated bodily injury,” she explained.
Yango said there have been instances where the criminals are smart enough to throw the chase away from themselves and direct the mob to an unsuspecting innocent bystander.
“An innocent person suffered because of the emotional reaction of the public who could not wait for the police to act, which is the case with our recent victim, which is condemnable and needs to be stopped!!!” she pointed out.
According to her, Liberia’s law classifies violence by mob as a crime, and states that any person accused of committing a crime is presumed “innocent until proven guilty” in a competent court that exercises appropriate jurisdiction on such matters and persons, and that an accused person is entitled to bail as a Constitutional right, unless in capital offenses or if the offense committed is non-bailable.
“Therefore, people must understand this and be patient to allow the system of jurisprudence to play itself out. Also we call on the Liberian government to intervene speedily and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book so that the victim can get the justice she deserves” WONGOSOL stated.
She maintained, “All Liberians should condemn this incident and all other incidents of mob violence and get involved in stopping these grave crimes that affect our society, because this has the propensity to hinder and create an unsafe environment that incapacitates women and girls.
“We believe that the increase in mob violence is a result of the public’s lack of trust or confidence in the police and the judicial system,” she noted.
Yango underscored that it is criminal to engage in any illegal act of justice or to lynch a person.
“This is a call to action for the in-coming government to ensure that the system is fixed so that the citizens can start to trust and have confidence in the Judiciary and the government,” she continued.