The Foundation for Human Rights Defense International (FOHRD)-Liberia’s Executive Director, Mr. Torbor Tee Wonokay has promised to stand with motorcyclists and tri-cyclists, who came complaining to FOHRD that the Liberian Government, through the Liberia National Police (LNP) is violating their right of free movement.
Tee, as the right activist is affectionately referred to by many, told these vehicles’ operators on Monday, May 20, that the government and the police will be compelled to listen to them, who are on the side of the law.
He vows to stand with motorcyclists in their quest to ensure the “no-go zone” imposed by the police is lifted.
On Saturday, May 18, a group of motorcyclists under the banner, Concerned Motorcyclists and Tri-cyclists Advocacy Movement, engaged Tee, seeking his intervention in the present debacle between them and the police as they (cyclists) are being prevented from running in certain parts of Monrovia, including Central Monrovia.
The police also listed several requirements including insurance, license, helmets, registration, two view mirrors, shoes/sneakers, and reflector jacket among others which the motorcyclists must meet before being allowed to ply those parts of Monrovia that they have been barred from plying.
But speaking during a press conference on Monday, the Chairperson of the Kekeh (tri-cycle) Riders Association, Ousman Ansu, said the motor and tri-cyclists are resisting the no-go zone restriction because the requirements listed by the government of Liberia are too difficult for each motorcyclist or tri-cyclist to meet immediately.
Ansu indicated that the requirements totaling US$250 is an attempt by the government to deny them the right to life, given the exorbitant fees associated with the basic fees.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Concern Motorcyclist and Tri-cyclists Advocacy Movement, Claudius Yeedel, claimed that the restriction imposed on them by government is bogus and is a strategy by some elements in government to extort money and hijack their motor and tri-cycles upon an attempt to ply the streets.
He said the insurance companies that the government has contracted for the vehicle insurance scheme cannot underwrite their liabilities when there was accident, whether it was kekeh, motorbike or a car.
According to Claudius, motor and tri-cyclists pay taxes to government and abide by the law, but they are being marginalized and treated as criminals and nonhumans in their own country.
Meanwhile, upon hearing all these, FOHRD-Liberia Executive Director Tee Wonokay said preventing a certain group of people from moving into certain areas was a clear violation of their right to movement as enshrined in Article 13 of the Liberian Constitution.
Wonokay said he will get involved in the struggle with the cyclists through dialoguing with the requisite agencies of government. He promised to write the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police about how the no-go zone restriction could be lifted.
According to Tee, a failure of the government to listen to the cry of the cyclists, a lawsuit will be the final option.
