FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2012
PRESS STATEMENT
 |
| The author |
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]
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