Liberia: US, EU nudge protest organizers to share plans with justice ministry
Monrovia, Liberia (PANA) - The diplomatic missions of the United States of America, the European Union, France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom in Liberia Sunday urged organizers of a planned protest march on 30 December to share with the ministry of justice all details regarding the proposed demonstration.
The Council of Patriots (CoP) had announced that its protest march dubbed “Weah Step Down” would go ahead as planned because the government had failed to discuss its concerns as was promised.
The group earlier on June 7 held a protest demonstration against what it called the poor governance and economic performance of the Weah-led administration that brought the Liberian capital to a standstill.
But the CoP failed miserably to achieve the intended impact of the demonstration when it raised trivial issues that did not make it possible to present a petition to the government.
But in a statement issued later Saturday in Monrovia, the foreign missions noted that the CoP sharing its plans with the justice ministry was necessary for the government of Liberia to take all necessary measures to allow protesters to exercise their constitutional rights of free speech, assembly, and petition, and at the same time to preserve public order and safety.
The six embassies made the observations in a joint statement Saturday in relation to the COP’s planned demonstration.
“Constitutional rights must be exercised responsibly, in conformity with relevant provisions of law, without jeopardizing the peace, security, and stability of Liberia.
“We understand the Liberian Government has made proposals regarding demonstration venues, and we urge the COP expeditiously to supply logistical information necessary for issuance of appropriate permits,” the embassies said.
In Liberia, individuals, organizations and groups wishing to stage peaceful assembly, protest, counter-protest and demonstration must seek and obtain permit from the ministry of justice which will also provide security protection to the protestors.
However, the embassies raised eyebrows when they recalled that in a December 24 broadcast on Facebook Live, Henry Costa, Chairman of the CoP, used “inflammatory language, implying that some of his supporters would be armed, and threatening under various circumstances to use deadly force.”
“In light of his comments, we call on Mr. Costa to clarify in a public statement that he intends his protest to be peaceful and compliant with Liberian law,” the statement asserted.
It added: “Responsible rhetoric and peaceful protests can help foster a culture of productive discourse and build on Liberia's democratic gains. In light of Liberia’s history, public incitement to violence cannot be ignored.”
-0- PANA PTK/RA 29Dec2019
