Monrovia – The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) through the office of its Deputy Secretary General for the Rule of Law, Waldemar Wray, has provided textbooks, furniture and equipment aimed at setting up a human rights library at the Ashmun Street Headquarter of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA).
Report by Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected]
The Deputy SRSG for the Rule of Law says the donation, worth US$14,883.00, was made possible by the UNHCR in Geneva, Switzerland.
Wray added that it is universally accepted that human rights play a pivotal role in the goverance of every modern society.
It contributes to ensuring that duty bearers are held accountable and that human rights also provide a framework within which social cohesion is forged and the rights of all individuals no matter their status in society are respected, he said.
Wray said in Liberia the justice system is “challenged with perennial human rights concerns like prolonged pre-trial detention, unhealthy prison conditions, impunity for sexual and gender based violence and harmful traditional practices and effective accountability for misconduct by officials within the sector”.
“As key players in the protection of the rights of people, lawyers, judges and other justice and security sector actors must update their knowledge of human rights norms and standards that are applicable to the administration of justice.
“This library is meant primarily to enhance the human rights knowledge of members of the bar, It provides lawyers with resources that enhances your capacity to protect the interests of your clients and contribute to the overall governance of Liberia,” said Wray.
The deputy UNMIL boss indicated that in exactly 8 weeks times UNMIL mandate in Liberia will come to an end but this does not bring to an end the support of UN as various interventions are in place to enable the UN system continue to partner in its peace building efforts.
UNHCR will commence operations in Liberia on April 1, 2018 and will continue to support national institutions like the Independent National Commission on Human Rights to enhance human rights protection mechanism for Liberia, he said.
He is also confident that with the capacity so far developed, complemented by resources like the new library, Liberians in general and members of the bar association in particular are sufficiently capacitated to support the government in undertaking the numerous reform outlined by the President in his annual message to the Legislature two days ago.
“There is no doubt that these reforms seek to entrench a human rights culture in Liberia and uphold the rights of all Liberians,” he said.
LNBA President Cllr. Moses Paegar in response thanked UNMIL for the numerous supports to LNBA in its quest to promoting the rule of law in the country.
Cllr. Paegar said his leadership would ensure that equipment; computers, furnitures and books provided will be used for its intended purpose.
“ Let me say that the new paradigm being adopted by our development partners now is shifting from the building of infrastructures to building human capacity and the setting up of this library is a glaring example of this idea,” Cllr. Paegar said.