Civil Society leaders and stakeholders on Thursday, November 14, 2024, concluded a one-day meeting aimed at garnering support for the abolition of the death penalty in the country. The meeting was organized by the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with support from the British Embassy to increase support for the abolition of the death penalty in Liberia with local and national leaders through regional consultation and public outreach. Adama K. Dempster, Secretary General of the CSO platform, emphasized the need to ensure accountability for actions while upholding human rights, adding that the death penalty goes against the protection of human rights in Liberia.
Dempster highlighted the financial and emotional toll the death penalty imposed on families and questioned how Liberia can advocate for justice through a War and Economic Crimes Court while still enforcing capital punishment. Urias Teh Pour, discussed the international legal frameworks backing the abolition of the death penalty, citing the devastating impacts of wrongful convictions in capital cases on both the convicted individual and their families. Seidu Swaray, Executive Director of the Liberia Association of Psychological Services, emphasized the psychological trauma inflicted by the death penalty on both the condemned individual and their families, stressing the need for social psychological support and trauma counseling. He stressed the significance of providing social psychological support and trauma counseling to help families impacted by the criminal justice system. The Civil society leaders expressed belief that by abolishing the death penalty, Liberia can enhance its human rights record and improve its global standing, urging government officials to prioritize this issue as a crucial step towards justice and international recognition. The gathering aimed to discuss the human rights implications of capital punishment and its effect on Liberia’s reputation internationally. LINA