Monrovia – A four-month social mobilization advocacy campaign to ensure equal and unhindered justice for all persons in Liberia, especially the poor has been launched by the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IRDD).
A key component of this project is monitoring the performance of justice and security institutions’ actors; their investigative processes, actions and inaction particularly, magisterial courts, circuit courts, and police stations, specifically, in three of the 15 counties of Liberia — Lofa, Grand Gedeh and Montserrado counties.
The project launched by IREDD’s primary objective to enhance public knowledge of legal information, raises awareness on legal processes and advocate for justice and security sectors reform to ensure strict compliance with the basic principle of law irrespective of status.
“Our advocacy efforts for equal justice for all persons is linked to Pillar 3 of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) of the Government of Liberia and Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which deals with “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” as well as other applicable universal protocols and conventions on fundamental rights.”
To ensure effective monitoring of justice and security institutions in the three counties, IREDD has deployed six monitors to document and report on a weekly basis, the performance of justice and security institutions actors. These reports will be consolidated and IREDD will issue monthly performance reports of these institutions for the next four months, beginning September 1- December 30, 2019.
Indicators to be monitored are court docket, daily bulletin, bond and bond administration, appeal process, pre-trial detainees, and length of detention without trial, number of cases on courts dockets/bulletins (criminal and civil), number of City Solicitors, Prosecutors and Public Defenders assigned and are appearing in courts daily, number of cases held to finality, sentences made and those dismissed; amongst others.
Police Station Records
The project will also monitor a number of arrests made with warrant and without warrant, pre-charge detention and length of time in police cells (48hrs or more) protection and respect for suspects’ rights, acquaintance of Maranda rights, etc.
Meanwhile, IREDD is requesting courts and police authorities to give their fullest cooperation as this effort is meant to strengthen and promote respect for the rule of law for all, irrespective of socio-economic status or class in Liberia.
The project is been funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).