ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SUBMITS EMERGENCY

REPORT ON LIBERIA TO COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

GENEVA, 8 August (UN Information Service) -- Bertrand Ramcharan, the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, today submitted an emergency report to the Commission on Human Rights on international crimes and other gross violations of human rights committed in Liberia.  He called for those responsible, whether from the Government or the rebel sides, to be brought to justice.

In a letter to the Chairperson and members of the Commission, the Acting High Commissioner stated:

“The situation of human rights in Liberia has been and remains grave and grievous to public conscience around the globe.  Since the last session of the Commission on Human Rights that situation has deteriorated in a shocking manner.”

According to the report submitted to the Commission, over 250,000 persons have lost their lives in the conflict since it began.  At least half of the dead have been civilian non-combatants.  More than 1.3 million people have been uprooted from their homes.  After fighting resumed on 24 June in Monrovia, several hundreds have lost their lives and civilians have been deliberately targeted.  Torture has been widespread throughout the conflict and persists.  Hundreds of women and girls have been raped and subjected to other forms of sexual violence.  Rape has been used as a weapon of war.  Children have been abducted and forced to fight on both sides.

The Acting High Commissioner declared:  “The law must be allowed to take its course in respect of the mighty and the insolent -- whether they be on the Government or the rebel sides.”

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