INCHR 2024 Report: Boakai Administration Faces Allegations of Violating Geneva Convention and Global Human Rights Laws

Michael T

5 days ago4 min read

President Joseph Boakai and ICRC Logo

Liberia's human rights crisis under President Joseph Boakai has reached alarming proportions, with systematic violations of both domestic and international frameworks, emphasizing a significant deterioration in the country's legal and ethical standards. The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has warned of the escalating abuses, which are undermining Liberia's commitment to human rights and threatening regional stability1 2. These violations span a wide array of issues, including state security brutality, gender-based violence, exploitation of children, and severe restrictions on civil liberties1 2 5.

One of the most striking aspects of the current administration's human rights violations is the growing brutality within state security forces, particularly the Liberia National Police (LNP). Under the leadership of Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman, incidents of police violence have become more frequent, including the killing of a 17-year-old student in Paynesville City1 2 5. Despite these incidents, there is a systemic lack of accountability, leaving victims and their families without recourse. The government's failure to investigate these abuses or prosecute those responsible further exacerbates the culture of impunity that has taken root within Liberia's institutions1 2 5.

Additionally, the practice of prolonged pretrial detention has reached critical levels, with over 80% of inmates languishing in overcrowded prisons, often without trial for years1 5. This reflects a broader pattern of neglect within the justice system, where rural areas face a severe shortage of judicial officers, contributing to significant delays in case adjudication1 5. Meanwhile, gender-based violence remains pervasive, with rampant cases of rape, especially involving minors, and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and ritual killings continuing unabated1 5. These abuses, particularly those targeting vulnerable children, underscore the government's failure to protect its most at-risk citizens1 5.

The case of Abrahima Kalil Cherif, who was detained under questionable circumstances and later disappeared after being transferred to Guinea, further stresses the extent of the government's disregard for human rights1 5. This act of enforced disappearance, coupled with state-sponsored human trafficking in exchange for financial gain, represents a direct violation of international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)1 5. The lack of investigation into these grave violations sends a chilling message about the state's complicity in such abuses1 5.

In addition to these grave violations of civil and political rights, Liberia has also flouted its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)3. The violent suppression of protests, such as the "White Tuesday" crackdown, using live ammunition, as well as the arrest of critics for simply speaking out against Boakai's policies, undermines freedoms of assembly and expression3. These actions are a direct violation of Articles 9 and 11 of the ACHPR, which guarantee the right to free speech and peaceful protest3.

Liberia's adherence to international treaties has also come under scrutiny, with the government's actions directly contravening the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)1 5. The ritualistic killings of children, many involving horrific violence such as dismemberment for body parts, and the systemic abuse of children accused of witchcraft, represent gross violations of international human rights law1 5. The absence of justice for these crimes, coupled with the government's refusal to investigate, creates a climate where impunity flourishes and victims' families are left without recourse1 5.

The economic and social rights of Liberia's citizens have also suffered under Boakai's administration. The misallocation of public funds, such as the millions in diversion linked to fraudulent scholarship programs, has entrenched poverty, leaving 70% of Liberians trapped in multidimensional poverty3. The failure to address food insecurity, access to healthcare, and the basic needs of the population further erodes the dignity of the people3.

At a broader level, the Boakai administration has weaponized the Liberian Constitution against its own citizens3. The prolonged pretrial detention, unchecked police violence, and lack of judicial independence represent a fundamental breakdown in the rule of law1 2 3 5. These abuses mirror Liberia's authoritarian past, raising fears of a return to the oppressive tactics seen during Samuel Doe's regime3.

To address this crisis, urgent international intervention is required. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must take immediate action, invoking its regional protocols to investigate these violations and hold those responsible accountable2. Additionally, the International Criminal Court (ICC) should consider prosecuting the rendition of Cherif as a serious crime, while international donors should suspend aid until meaningful reforms are implemented4. The path forward requires a concerted effort to restore the rule of law, protect human rights, and ensure that the citizens of Liberia are no longer subjected to state-sponsored violence and oppression3 4.

Liberia under President Joseph Boakai has seen a catastrophic erosion of human rights, with widespread brutality, political repression, and systemic abuses undermining the country's legal and ethical foundations1 2 3 5. This represents a dire legal emergency that demands urgent global action to avert further descent into authoritarianism and ensure justice for the people of Liberia3 4.

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INCHR 2024 Report: Boakai Administration Faces Allegations of Violating Geneva Convention and Global Human Rights Laws

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