By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on September 25, 2024 concluded a one-day regional dialogue in Monrovia, Liberia, aimed at enhancing human rights advocacy and the fight against corruption in Liberia, Sierra Leone and beyond. The event brought together key stakeholders from anti-corruption institutions, human rights commissions and civil society organizations to discuss strategies for addressing corruption’s impact on human rights.
In his opening remarks, Christian Mukosa, OHCHR’s Representative, emphasized the importance of the dialogue, noting its focus on creating strategies to mitigate the negative effects of corruption on human rights. Christian Mukosa highlighted the need for collaborative efforts and shared best practices to ensure human rights and anti-corruption institutions are fully involved in accountability mechanisms, particularly in the ongoing process of establishing the War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia.
Christine Umutoni, UN Resident Coordinator, commended OHCHR and other UN agencies for their role in supporting the initiative. She underscored the direct link between corruption and human rights violations, stating, “Strengthening national institutions and regional mechanisms is essential for providing redress for victims and ensuring accountability for human rights violations, including economic and social rights.”
Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, delivered the keynote address, describing the dialogue as a timely opportunity for Liberia and Sierra Leone to exchange best practices. He stressed that cooperation between nations is vital in the fight against corruption and the promotion of human rights, saying, “Together, we can forge a future in which the rights of every individual are fiercely protected, and where corruption is not merely challenged but eradicated.”
Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), emphasized the need to align policies with international standards. She called for strengthening the regional frameworks that bind the two nations in their collective efforts against corruption. Meanwhile, Augustine Ngobie, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Anti-Corruption Commissioner, expressed his agency’s commitment to supporting LACC in enhancing its international standing in the fight against corruption.
Victor Idrissa Lansana, Esq., Vice Chair of the Sierra Leone Human Rights Commission stressed the critical role of human rights in the fight against corruption. He urged OHCHR to expedite the establishment of a regional network, which would significantly bolster advocacy and accountability efforts across the region.
The Chairperson of Liberia’s Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Cllr. T. Dempster Brown, echoed calls for greater action, urging his counterparts to intensify their efforts to combat corruption and human rights abuses. He also reiterated the ongoing debate about establishing War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia, emphasizing the importance of such institutions in ensuring justice.
The dialogue followed an OHCHR-supported exchange visit to Sierra Leone in May 2024, co-led by the heads of Liberia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR). During that visit, participants learned about the role of Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption courts and their contribution to accountability processes. One of the key recommendations from that visit was to organize this one-day dialogue in Monrovia.
The discussions are expected to foster stronger cross-border collaboration, promoting the exchange of best practices and experiences between Liberia and Sierra Leone’s human rights and anti-corruption institutions. It is hoped that the dialogue will pave the way for more effective and coordinated efforts in both countries to combat corruption and uphold human rights.
At the close of the meeting, Christian Mukosa of OHCHR reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to compiling the dialogue’s recommendations. “These outcomes will serve as the foundation for the next steps in our collective fight against corruption and in upholding human rights,” he stated, reinforcing the resolve of the participating institutions to continue their efforts in these critical areas.
The regional dialogue marks another step forward in strengthening human rights advocacy and anti-corruption efforts across West Africa. As both Liberia and Sierra Leone continue to build on these initiatives, the hope is that greater collaboration will lead to lasting change in protecting human rights and eradicating corruption.
