Monrovia – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has called on state and non-state actors to desist from undermining the rights of journalists and the media as well as freedom of speech and expression.
Delivering remarks on Monday, 13 July at the opening of a two-day youth capacity-building training in Voinjama City, Lofa County, PUL President Julius Kanubah underscored that government officials and other actors in public life must commit to respecting the rights of the press to genuinely scrutinize and provide critical commentary on national issues and individuals in matters of public interest.
“As we begin this capacity-building training, I would like to call on all state and non-state actors to continue to uphold, protect, and defend the rights of journalists and the media, freedom of speech and expression to ensure the democratic advancement and economic development of Liberia,” said Mr. Kanubah.
Organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the training focused on human rights, facilitation and public speaking.
More than 35 young people from youth-led civil society organizations from across Lofa County participated including members of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Liberia National Students Union (LINSU) and the Mano River Youth Parliament.
Mr. Kanubah urged Liberian youth to remain actively engaged in advancing human rights, particularly the rights to education, health and access to decision-making spaces.
He emphasized that youth must not wait for an intangible future but instead claim it through active participation and skill-building.
“Youth must never be passive by waiting for an elusive future. The future is every second that counts and every day that we live. If we are to claim and enjoy our future as young people, we must first understand and gain skills on concepts and practices such as human rights, facilitation and public speaking,” he noted.
The PUL President also challenged youth to responsibly use digital media platforms by disengaging from spreading misinformation and disinformation and by applying critical thinking before sharing information.
The training is being implemented under the Youth Promotion Initiative (YPI) project, in collaboration with the PUL, FLY, LINSU, the Mano River Youth Parliament and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).
In remarks, INCHR Executive Director Attorney-At-Law Urias Teh Pour highlighted the importance of respect for human rights and the rule of law in Liberia, emphasizing that no society develops without protection of fundamental human rights.
Attorney-at-Law Roosevelt Jayjay of the UN Human Rights Office in Liberia added that the training aims to equip youth-led civil society organizations and networks with skills to implement comprehensive civic education programs for youth from impoverished communities and minority groups.
It is hoped that the training will contribute to strengthening Liberia’s National Human Rights Protection Mechanisms, safeguarding young people’s rights to civic participation and access to justice.
