Monrovia, August 5, 2026 – The Board of Commissioners of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has announced the dismissal of its suspended Executive Director, Atty. Urias Teh-Pour and suspended Director for Planning, Baw Wah Brownell over alleged unlawful representation of the Commission while under suspension.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
In a statement issued Wednesday, August 5, the Board said the dismissals were carried out in accordance with the INCHR Staff Handbook, including Section 37 on disciplinary and complaint resolution procedures, Article 16 of the INCHR Act, and other applicable provisions of Liberian law.
Teh-Pour and Brownell had previously been suspended and referred to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for investigation over allegations of financial impropriety and related administrative misconduct.
The suspensions, the Board said, were intended to prevent the two officials from performing any official duties while the investigations remain ongoing.
However, the Board alleged that despite his suspension, Teh-Pour continued to communicate on behalf of the Commission and received official correspondence from the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI).
It further alleged that he nominated Brownell to represent the Commission in an official capacity, even though both officials had been suspended and were no longer authorized to act on behalf of the institution.
The Commission described the alleged actions as serious violations of its Staff Handbook, the National Code of Conduct, and the Commission’s Code of Ethics.
The Board notes that the conduct is an act of dishonesty and undermines its authority, compromised the Commission’s administrative processes and posed a risk to the credibility and independence of Liberia’s national human rights institution.
Based on those findings, the Board said it resolved to dismiss both officials from their respective positions, citing relevant provisions of the Staff Handbook, the National Code of Conduct, and Section 12.35 of Liberia’s Penal Code.
The INCHR also disclosed that it has formally notified the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police(LNP), alleging that the matter may constitute the criminal offense of impersonating public officials under Section 12.35 of the Penal Code.
The Commission said it requested that the matter be independently investigated by the appropriate authorities.
While referring the case for criminal investigation, the Board stated that it remains committed to respecting due process and the presumption of innocence, while maintaining that public officials be held accountable for their actions.
The Commission further emphasized that suspended officers or employees have no authority to communicate, negotiate, conduct official business, or represent the INCHR unless expressly authorized by the appropriate authority.
“The Board remains committed to strengthening institutional discipline, safeguarding public resources, promoting accountability, and ensuring that the Commission operates in accordance with the law and internationally recognized standards of human rights governance,” read the statement.
