President Joseph Boakai's administration faces mounting allegations of systematic human rights violations that threaten to unravel Liberia's post-war democratic progress. Since taking office in January 2024, documented cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detention, and media suppression paint a disturbing picture of authoritarian regression[4][8][9].
The Panoramic Justice Group's January 2024 assessment reveals alarming patterns of state violence, including police shootings of civilians like Bangalie Kamara and Essah Massaley, which remain uninvestigated. The report documents 17 egregious cases of human rights violations, with only 4 resulting in prosecution, highlighting a culture of impunity within security forces[8][35].
Media freedom has deteriorated significantly, exemplified by the harassment of Daily Observer journalists Bai Best and David Yates in January 2025. Their interrogation and detention by police over reporting on Anwar Futloo's death demonstrates growing attempts to intimidate independent media[7][37]. The Press Union of Liberia has documented escalating attacks on journalists, including threats, harassment, and physical violence[75][76].
The targeting of opposition figures has become particularly concerning. The arbitrary detention and alleged torture of Thomas Etheridge, maintenance head in Speaker Koffa's office, and the surveillance of CDC members John Nyanti and Amos Koffa, suggest a systematic campaign to suppress political dissent[9][74]. Security forces have reportedly conducted raids on opposition headquarters and employed arbitrary detention tactics[77][79].
Economic mismanagement compounds these human rights concerns. MOVEE's analysis reveals over $15 million in misallocated funds and questionable expenditures, including $2.3 million in unaccounted "miscellaneous" expenses. This financial impropriety diverts resources from essential services and undermines citizens' economic rights[16][25].
The administration's manipulation of the judiciary for political ends represents a serious threat to constitutional governance. Boakai has reportedly used judicial decisions to remove tenured officials and replace them with political allies, violating established legal protections[82]. The Supreme Court justices' boycott of his State of the Nation Address underscores growing concerns about judicial independence[25].
International observers have taken notice. The U.S.-based Panoramic Justice Group has urged Congressional intervention, warning that Liberia risks sliding into authoritarianism. Their report details allegations of extraordinary renditions and the use of U.S. aid to perpetuate human rights abuses[10][69].
Civil society organizations face increasing pressure as they attempt to document and challenge these abuses. The Rule of Law Caucus has condemned arbitrary arrests and police brutality, while human rights defenders risk retaliation for their work[81]. The LNBA's silence on constitutional violations further weakens institutional checks on executive power[25].
The administration's response to peaceful protests has been particularly harsh. Reports from GJPHRAN document violent suppression of demonstrations and the use of excessive force by police, marking a dangerous shift toward authoritarian tactics[77]. The CDC has accused the government of employing "arrest-to-kill" operations against political opponents[79].
Boakai's treatment of tenured positions has raised serious constitutional concerns. The unlawful removal of officials, including NEC Chairperson Davidetta Brown-Lansanah, threatens institutional independence and democratic processes[76]. Senator Thomas Nimley has condemned these actions as direct violations of Article 56(b) of the Constitution[16].
The international community's role becomes increasingly critical as Liberia's human rights situation deteriorates. U.S. Congressional oversight and potential sanctions could provide crucial leverage for reform[69]. The need for international intervention is underscored by the administration's apparent use of security forces to suppress dissent and intimidate critics[77].
These developments represent a critical juncture for Liberia's democracy. Without immediate intervention and reform, the country risks returning to its troubled past of authoritarian rule and civil conflict. The international community must act decisively to support human rights defenders, strengthen democratic institutions, and hold perpetrators accountable[10][73].
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References
[4] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-us-based-justice-group-urges-washington-to-address-human-rights-violations-under-boakai-koung-administration/
[5] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/opinion/commentary/liberia-challenging-boakais-state-of-the-nation-lies-stand-demands-accountability-and-comprehensive-reform-to-save-liberia-from-crisis/
[6] https://allafrica.com/stories/202501090160.html
[7] https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/africa/article/liberia-daily-observer-journalists-harassed-by-police
[8] https://liberianinvestigator.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Human-Rights-Violation-Report-Final-Draft-3-1.pdf
[9] https://www.insightsliberia.com/post/has-liberia-become-a-police-state
[10] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/human-rights/liberia-us-based-justice-group-calls-for-congressional-hearing-on-alleged-human-rights-abuse-in-liberia/
[11] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/opinion/commentary/liberia-under-boakai-democracy-in-crisis/Gross Human Rights Violations Under Boakai's Administration
[12] https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/liberia/
[13] https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/liberia/overview
[14] https://www.african-court.org/wpafc/liberia-commits-to-ratification-of-the-protocol-to-the-african-charter-on-human-and-peoples-rights-on-the-establishment-of-an-african-court-on-human-and-peoples-rights/.Gross Human Rights Violations Under Boakai's AdministrationGross Human Rights Violations Under Boakai's Administration
[15] https://www.mofa.gov.lr.Gross Human Rights Violations Under Boakai's Administration
[16] https://allafrica.com/stories/202501300209.html
[17] https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/liberia/
[18] https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=923449709953217&id=100068645884542
[19] https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/06/liberias-compliance-international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights-joint-follow
[20] https://www.theafricareport.com/352884/liberia-outrage-as-lawyer-for-those-accused-of-war-crimes-to-lead-war-crimes-court/
[21] https://smartnewsliberia.com/rights-group-accuses-boakai-administration-of-abuses-challenges-governments-denial/
[22] https://freedomhouse.org/country/liberia/freedom-world/2024
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[24] https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1085775476899046&id=100063998114242
[25] https://www.insightsliberia.com/post/cowardly-silence-lnba-s-betrayal-of-legal-ethics-and-constitutional-duty
[26] https://www.ictj.org/latest-news/liberia-first-address-un-general-assembly-president-boakai-seeks-support-war-and
[27] https://analystliberiaonline.com/abuse-of-state-power-by-police-is-recipe-for-chaos-bilitys-rule-of-law-caucus-puts-gol-on-notice/
[28] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/start-boakai-era-after-first-100-days-dr-clarence-r-pearson-sr--jlw7e
[29] https://docstore.ohchr.org/SelfServices/FilesHandler.ashx?enc=6QkG1d%2FPPRiCAqhKb7yhstKoRixVm9qATlBd3M437vi7DkleBazAiHtnv1KjHpO0HWaelC0FJ7GaScTugd0hs8U8UvakGZAQS7Y3UsW%2BhCDYPsjt%2BYTjkoLSMXMjPe0U
[30] https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0921
[31] https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=896572105817429&id=100063939427748&set=a.461027916038519&locale=sv_SE
[32] https://smartnewsliberia.com/is-liberias-democracy-at-risk-a-step-backwards-looms/
[33] https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1059635382844433&id=100063939427748
[34] https://smartnewsliberia.com/ecowas-delegation-arrives-in-liberia-amid-allegations-of-political-repression/
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