Formal Memorandum / Petition (For Official Submission)

TO:

• Ministry of Education, Republic of Liberia
• Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection
• Ministry of Justice
• Ministry of Health

______________________________________________________________________

SUBJECT: Urgent Demand for Investigation and Action Regarding Alleged Child Abuse at Berea Christian Academy of Excellence

I write with urgency and grave concern regarding serious allegations of child abuse at Berea Christian Academy of Excellence, located in Sophia, Congo Town, Montserrado County.

Credible reports and publicly circulated images indicate that a minor was severely flogged by school authorities, allegedly rendering the child unconscious and requiring emergency hospitalization. Additional images suggest similar injuries to other children. If substantiated, these acts constitute gross violations of Liberian law, international child-protection conventions, and basic human dignity.

Liberia is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Corporal punishment that causes physical harm, trauma, or loss of consciousness is illegal, unethical, and criminal.

We formally demand the following actions:

1. Immediate suspension of the school pending investigation
2. Independent investigation into disciplinary practices
3. Medical and psychological assessments for affected children
4. Criminal prosecution of any individual(s) found responsible
5. Protection of families and witnesses from intimidation
6. Nationwide audit of private and faith-based schools using corporal punishment

Failure to act decisively sends a dangerous message that children’s lives are negotiable. They are not.

This is not an attack on education or religion. It is a defense of children.

Respectfully,

Samuel S Quoi, (PhD, MPH, MHSc. BSc)