Monrovia – The President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe says the LNBA has accepted an invitation from the African Bar Association (AFBA) to host its annual conference in Monrovia this October.
The African Bar Association had initially scheduled the conference for Cairo, Egypt but the governing council reversed the decision and opted for Monrovia.
Cllr. Gongloe made the disclosure on Friday, August 30 in Monrovia when he addressed a group of Judiciary reporters.
The AFBA said its decision to change the venue was based on the denial of visas to majority of the delegates and resource persons by the immigration service in Cairo coupled with the on-going massive human rights violation in that country.
Cllr. Gongloe told reporters that although the LNBA has financial constraint, its National Executive Council unanimously accepted the request to host the conference.
“The LNBA sees the holding of an international conference of this nature as an expression of confidence in the Government and people of Liberia to support such effort and as an opportunity for promoting the tourism sector of the Liberian economy,” he said.
Cllr. Gongloe said ahead of the pending conference, which is slated for October 21- 24, received a delegation from the AFBA headed by its president Hannibal Uwaifo and Ibrahim Eddy Mark, Vice President for Budget and Finance.
The delegation was received by Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bhophal Chambers.
The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, Ministers of Defense and Justice, other officials of government and representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights met the delegation to show support for the upcoming conference.
The LNBA president said the government and the UN Human Rights office expressed delight in the AFBA’s decision hold its conference in the country.
The LNBA President called on the government, diplomatic missions and the United Nations to help support the Bar successfully host the conference.
0ver 700 delegates, who will be mostly lawyers, are expected in Monrovia to attend the three days event.
Meanwhile, Cllr Gongloe, who is also a human rights lawyer, said LNBA has agreed to host a regional training conference for members of the military and security sectors on the rules of engagement during asymmetrical conflicts with strong emphasis on the protection of the rights of civilians.