The civil society organization, Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), says it stands in solidarity with Liberian human rights defenders who are being persecuted by notorious war criminals for speaking out against the culture of impunity in Liberia.
In addition to endangering their personal safety through physical threats, these alleged war criminals appear to be misusing court processes as tools of silence, intimidation, and harassment, leading to multiple lawsuits.
STAND views what it calls frivolous lawsuits against human rights activists as vexatious litigation, designed not only to harass, persecute, and subdue these courageous voices but also to deter them from speaking out against senior war criminals accused of heinous crimes.
“Despite this trend of harassment, the leadership of STAND is inspired by the courage and unwavering resilience of Madam Massa Washington, Mr. Hassan Bility, Mr. Adama Dempster, amongst others, who continue to take a stance against impunity, often at great personal risk,” STAND frowns.
A statement signed by Mulbah K. Morlu, Executive Director, indicated that the group is standing firmly with these distinguished human rights defenders. STAND calls on the government of Liberia, particularly the Ministry of Justice, to take concrete steps to protect these advocates, especially in light of the formation of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
“Amplifying calls from the Coalition for Justice in Liberia, STAND urges all of its local and global affiliates to show strong support and calls on all local and international organizations to stand in solidarity with Massa, Hassan, Adama, and others,” the Civic group maintains.
Additionally, STAND added that in the face of this continuous atmosphere of hostility against advocates by warlords, they will not sit idly but will move swiftly in the coming months to mobilize the civil society community to stage a mass public awareness campaign to deter notorious war actors from subjecting advocates to harm and harassment.
