Monrovia –The office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Liberia on Wednesday September 25, 2024 hosted a one-day dialogue aimed at strengthening stronger national and regional collaboration for enhanced Human Rights advocacy and the Fight against corruption.
By: Francis G. Boayue
Speaking at the opening ceremony the Country Representative of the OHCHR Christian Mukosa said corruption creates instability and insecurity as such needs to be addressed within the region and beyond.
According to him, corruption was one of the cases of instability in the region, noting that it is time for a human rights-based approach towards the Fight against corruption.
Mr. Mukosa warned that if not addressed corruption has the propensity to jeopardize the future of the nation.
He said responses from corruption Fight can help promote human rights as such support to human rights is key
The OHCHR boss who also hailed the Countries for establishing commissions on human rights and anti-graft institutions was quick to call for support to these institutions and commissions in order to further enhance their works and activities.
Outlining some of the negative impacts of corruption, the United Nations Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni underscored the importance of strengthening regional mechanisms to provide redress for victims and for accountability for human rights violations including economic and social rights.
Speaking further she stressed that corruption affects the entire national development initiatives and also hampers economic growth and development.
Madam Umutoni at the same time encouraged accountability and regional collaboration which she noted is key to the fight against corruption and human rights violations respectively.
Motivating the gathering, she pointed out that despite the danger linked to corruption, it can be tackled once the parties and actors remain united and work together with accountability being their cornerstone to achieving such milestones.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening session was the Minister of Justice Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh who wants strategies to be derived in order to combat corruption as well as reinforcing human rights for all.
He indicated that it is now timely for them to take on the opportunity in a drive to battle the menace from the region.
“Let’s be champions of justice and go behind just compliance but courageous commitment and integrity and accountability.
He stated that the dialogue creates the opportunity for the two Countries to exchange best practices and experience which he pointed out is a fund to help empower them for corruption Fight including enhancing advocacies.
Representing the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission at the regional dialogue was its Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe who wants the discussions to be transformed into catalysts of real action.
She told the gathering that the dialogue which came as a result of the May meeting in Sierra-Leone is significant to the two Countries.
She used the occasion to commit to fostering tangible cooperation between their institutions.
“Let’s also focus on aligning our policy with international standards, strengthening the regional framework that binds us”, she noted.
Cllr. Zoe also calls for the empowerment of the people to stand against corruption and demand their fundamental human rights.
At the same time, the Chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights Cllr. T. Dempster Brown who encouraged his colleagues to do more in order to fight corruption and human rights violations respectively.
“The impacts of corruption and human rights violations on our people are scary as such, we all need to do more to tackle it”, he re-emphasized.
Referring to the ongoing debate for the establishment of the war and economic crimes court in Liberia, Cllr. Brown re-echoed the need for such a court to be established in Liberia in order for those in his words who committed atrocities on innocent citizens to face justice and or be published for their actions.
As for the deputy chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra-Leone, Augustine Foday Ngobie pledged their support and collaboration to the process.
“We share a similar story and we will encourage both Political and Presidential will in order to fight corruption and human rights violations”, he added.
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