PRESS STATEMENT
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| Gibson W. Jerue |
In less than 24 hours, we have learned that the Government of Liberia has arrested three people, said to be “people of interest” in the recently shooting at the Liberia-ivory Coast border that led to the murder of seven UN peacekeepers and two Ivorian security personnel. Those arrested according to media reports were Neezee Barway (sometimes called Joseph Dweh); and Morris K. Cole (sometimes called Edward K. Cole).
All Grand Gedeans around the world welcome the progress being made to address the incident at the border, and must assert that they are peace-loving people, and are interested in living their lives in peace. That is why Grand Gedeans were always the first to embrace for peace. They are cognizance of the indispensable need to live peaceably with their neighbors. By loving peace and working for it, they will welcome any scrupulous means by which trouble makers are directly targeted and rooted out from among the innocent and law-abiding citizens.
However, Grand Gedeans are aware of the enormous pressure being exerted on them by external forces to subdue them. They have and continue to experience un-necessary incrimination and recrimination from both government and none-state elements. This has caused them not to rush to conclusion when any of their kinsmen are accused or arrested for any alleged criminal acts.
What we have been advocating for is for the Government of Liberia to be responsible and professional in dealing with the situation in Grand Gedeh County. Yes, we agree with some commentators that the arrested and detention of Charles Julu (the late) and Andrew Dorbor created a bad image for the Sirleaf administration. Grand Gedeans were traumatized by that blatant act of abuse of the rights of their kinsmen. The Government should not have arrested and detained Julu and Dorbor in the first place. More interestingly was the fact that the government could not lift a valid evidence against them, hence the sedition charges tumbled upside-down. This was a bad memory for all Grand Gedeans. We must make it very clear that we are watching with eagle's eye as the Sirleaf regime has arrested yet another batch of Grand Gedeans.
We must remember that those arrested are only persons of interest. They have not been charged, they remain innocent until proven guilty in the court of Competent jurisdiction. At the same time, we do not expect the Government of Liberia to keep them in detention for more than 48 hours without being formally charged and/or indicted for prosecution.
Keeping them in jail for one minute beyond 48 hours is a violation of their rights, and we will condemn same. In fact, as persons of interest, they have not been accused yet. Describing them or characterizing them as criminals will be a gross violation of their fundamental rights. They cannot be considered guilty and must prove themselves innocent. That is not what the laws of Liberia call for. They must be treated with dignity and respect.
Meanwhile, we will hold the Sirleaf administration, UNMIL, and all members of the four parties collaborating responsible if those Grand Gedeans are mistreated, violated, and dehumanized for any reasons. Their lives will be personally required of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Meanwhile, we are talking to lawyers to ensure that if Isaac Taryon; Neezee Barway (sometimes called Jospeh Dweh); and Morris K. Cole (sometimes called Edward K. Cole) are kept in jail one minute beyond the statutory period of 48 hours and not charged, we will take advantage of the legal process to demand their living bodies. This is a caveat!
Gibson W. Jerue
Journalist, Author & Grand Gedean
President, North Dakota Chapter of Grand Gedeh
Association in the Americas
[Note: I don’t speak for National GGAA or the national administration]
Unless we all are vigilant the government will always go wrong. We should compel the regime to do the right thing.
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