past eight (8) years the Commission, which is represented in all 15 counties of the country, has
conducted 11 successful by‐elections, launched extensive voter education campaigns,
particularly targeting communities previously excluded from the political process, and
constructed 5 new regional head offices and a national headquarters in Monrovia.
34.
Further, in order to resolve the problem of the multiplicity of cities, clans, townships and
chiefdoms and pave the road to successful municipal elections, the Commission has concluded
a county boundary harmonization exercise. The result of this exercise was drafted into a series
of bills and submitted to the Legislature for enactment.
B.
Right to Liberty and Security of the Person
35.
One major consequence of the civil conflict of Liberia was a substantial destruction of
the judicial system infrastructure and a breakdown in the security apparatus. As a result, the
conflict was marked by security forces flagrantly violating the human rights of citizens, a
judiciary unable to dispense justice and maintain the rule of law, and citizens resorting to mob
violence to secure justice.
36.
In order to transform institutions to public bodies that enjoy civic trust and protect
human rights, Liberia has: strengthened the Professional Standard Division within the Liberian
National Police (LNP), which investigates allegations of professional misconduct and refers
cases of criminal misconduct for prosecution; instituted human rights education and training to
law enforcement officers, the military and prison personnel; and undertaken a vetting process
in the security sector to exclude past human rights abusers from public positions.
37.
Further, Liberia has created human rights units attached to the Ministry of Justice and
the Ministry of Gender & Development to accept and investigate human rights complaints, take
appropriate measures and/or recommend cases for prosecution, and closely work with the
Judicial arm of the government to monitor the progress of cases through the criminal justice
system.
38.
To protect individuals from mob violence, a major challenge to the liberty and security
of Liberians, the country has engaged in extensive training for law enforcement personnel to
improve efficiency and professionalism and subsequently restore public confidence in law
enforcement. The country has also reactivated the linkage between law enforcement, civil
society organizations and the community to disseminate information regarding human rights
and continues to conduct regular community outreach campaigns to speak against mob
violence.
C.
Access to Justice and Legal Reform
39.
At the end of the civil conflict, Liberia was faced with the challenge of rebuilding a
substantially broken down judicial system with negligible budgetary allocation, corruption, low
level of accountability and key positions filled with individuals lacking the requisite level of legal
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