OHCHR launches public report on human rights issues in the context of 2023 Elections in Liberia

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has issued a public report entitled “Human rights issues in the context of General Elections and Presidential run-off in Liberia, 10 October and 14 November 2023”. 

The report presents findings from human rights monitoring activities conducted by OHCHR in Liberia between August and December 2023. It also contains follow-up information on incidents or decisions that happened after this period. The report provides an overview of human rights issues observed during the electoral period such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, violations of freedom of opinion and expression, hate speech and incitement to violence, violations of rights to peaceful assembly, and violations of the right to freedom of movement. It also examines the participation of women and persons with disabilities in Liberia's 2023 elections, highlighting challenges and recommendations for more inclusion. 

The OHCHR Representative in Liberia Mr. Christian Mukosa observed that “The 2023 legislative and presidential elections were praised by many, including the United Nations, as peaceful, transparent, free and fair contributing to lasting peace, stability and development in the country and the region, setting a good example for other African countries to emulate. The objective of this report is to highlight human rights issues observed and propose key recommendations to the government and various stakeholders to improve things during next cycles of elections that Liberia will organize”. 

The report provides recommendations to the Liberian Government and the international community to strengthen the electoral processes and ensure accountability for human rights violations and abuses. Further, the report highlights the role OHCHR played within the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Liberia to ensure that a human rights-based approach applied throughout the electoral process. 

Through the electoral period, as part of its overall human rights mandate and in line with the broader UNCT strategy, OHCHR held several engagements with strategic actors including government officials, members of the security forces, Civil Society Organizations, the National Elections Commission, and members of the international community to ensure human rights remains at the heart of the electoral process. As part of the National Steering Committee on Elections, OHCHR advised the other members of this important body on the human rights-based approach and integration of human rights in decision making processes. 

 “Creating a safe and enabling environment for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association is essential for fostering participation and ensuring inclusive and credible elections with results reflecting the will of the people” stressed Mr. Mukosa. 

The report notes limited accountability for the human rights violations and acts of violence that were observed by OHCHR during the electoral period and calls for investigations. 

“All incidents of election-related violence must be fully and independently investigated and those found responsible held to account without undue delay”, he said. He concluded that “it is important to ensure there is no impunity for violations and acts of violences that were documented during the elections, and to ensure justice is served to the victims”. 

OHCHR will continue to engage the government, the National Elections Commission and all other stakeholders through advocacy, provision of technical assistance, monitoring of human rights in the electoral context, to ensure that elections organised in the country meet international human rights standards and that they are held in an environment in which everyone can exercise their fundamental rights without fear.

 Ends.