Women Non-Governmental Organization Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has called on the Liberian government to invite an independent expert in Charloe Musu’s murder investigation and ensure a speedy trial.
According to the Executive Director of WONGOSOL, Esther Davis Yango, this is based on background of the quest for justice for Charloe Musu.
Yango made the statement over the weekend. She stated that WONGOSOL is closely following the process and wants a speedy trial in the case.
According to her, On June 22, 2023 the former Chief Justice, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, and the three other family members—Gertrude Newton, Rebecca Wisner, and Alice C. Johnson—were arrested and charged for murder, criminal conspiracy and false reports to law enforcement officers.
She maintained that WONGOSOL advocates for adherence to the rule of law, and expects that the government will ensure that the accused are given a fair trial. Yango underscored that WONGOSOL expresses regret over the death of Charloe Musu, and demands justice for her. She pointed out that no one should lose his/her life in such a manner.
Yango disclosed that the Constitution of Liberia, the UN Universal Declaration on People’s and Human Rights and the Maputo Protocol give all persons the right to life.
“Concerning the accused, our concern is drawn to the unclear investigative procedure employed by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the weak judicial system, where most often the accused is not given a fair trial and access to justice is denied to victims/survivors,” she added.
Yango asserted that her call is “in line with our mandate to protect and promote the rights of women and girls as well advocate for equal and affordable access to justice and the promotion of transparency and accountability”.
According to her, WONGOSOL is concerned about the persistent abuses of the Constitutional and human rights abuses of Liberian women and girls, who often lack of protection and access to justice.
She explained that Liberian women, under one umbrella in a mass action for justice held on March 2, 2023, at the Capitol Building, presented a petition to the government through the National Legislature requesting accountability, a transparent investigative process and access to justice for Charloe Musu.
“We deem it unfair for the Liberia National Police (LNP) to have left representation of the women out of the investigation completely… and come out informing the public that selected members of the public was part of the investigation after four months,” she said.
According to Yango, the women of Liberia under one banner requests to form a full part of the access to justice processes, especially relating to issues affecting the women and girls of Liberia
“We therefore call on the Liberian government to invite international independent investigators to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the Charloe Musu case,” she maintained.
She said the Liberian government is under obligation to provide an impartial and open inquiry to determine what happened, and bring to justice all those found liable of committing the crime.
“It is the responsibility of the state to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of all citizens against any form of violence, threat, retaliation, discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of legitimately exercising of rights, as referred to in the Liberian Constitution and UN Declaration on Human Rights,” she noted.