IPNews-Monrovia:  The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) has followed the discourse and recent developments surrounding ongoing roar between the Government of Liberia, the Council of Patriots headed by Mr. Henry P. Costa and Mr. Costa himself, as an individual Liberian citizen.

What started as a national discussion as to the constitutionality of the planned and executed protest of January 6, 2020 has unfortunately, heightened to international proportions culminating in a request for the extradition of Mr. Costa issued by the Government of Liberia to the Government of Sierra Leone.

IREDD has followed ongoing developments with keen interest and would first and foremost express its appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for the able way it handled the affair; at all times respecting its national laws and its obligations under international agreements in regard to persons fleeing prosecution.

IREDD notes that the Government of Liberia is under obligation to demonstrate at all times similar democratic credentials, keep the peace and ensure the protection of all of its citizens irrespective of political persuasion. No country can progress in the midst of undue tension based on political diversities.

Liberia is for all Liberians regardless of diverse views on issues of national concern. IREDD specifically calls on His Excellency, President George M. Weah to rein in the ostensible anti-democratic forces being harbored by his government including the conspicuous presence of ex-rebel generals in and around state security institutions, the continued accusations around the use of allege CDC militia Sabu and Zebra units to frighten members of the opposition and an arm of the National security Agency (NSA) to torture unsuspecting citizens into forced confessions.

IREDD said it does not overlook that the Government of Liberia has the right to limit freedom of expression under Article 19(3) of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as is: (1) provided by law and (2) necessary for respect of the rights or reputations of others, for the protection of national security, public order, or public health or morals.

The Government must however, also be cognizant of General Comment 34 of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) that those restrictions cannot put in jeopardy the rights itself. Block 3, Kings Avenue 16th Street, Sinkor (landside) P.O. Box 1959, 1000 Monrovia, 10 Contact: +231(0)886523021 +231(0)777342352 IREDD would also like to call on all well-meaning Liberians collectively and individually to take concrete steps in ensuring that our hard-earned democracy survives and national reconciliation moves to the front burner of national dialogue. The growth and development of “MAMA Liberia” is everyone’s business.

The actualization of the slogan “Change for Hope and a ProPoor government: Power to the People” requires every Liberian to make it happen.