Protect Liberian refugees, government urges Cote d'Ivoire

The Liberian government on Friday again expressed its concern about a reportedly increasing wave of brutalities and inhumane treatment against Liberian refugees in Cote d'Ivoire. A foreign ministry statement said Liberia was protesting the illegal acts of some Ivorian security personnel and mobs "for maltreating,harassing, intimidating, beating which in some instances resulted into deaths and raping Liberian refugees". The Liberian government, the statement said, urges its Ivorian counterpart "to ensure the protection and safety of Liberian refugees". It added that about 40,000 Liberian refugees were caught up in the Ivorian conflict. Late last month, Liberia's Justice Minister, Lavela Koboi Johnson, had protested what he said were credible and reliable reports that Liberians were being attacked and killed by Ivorian security personnel and mobs. The minister said the reports were "disturbing", adding that under international agreements, the Ivorian government had an obligation to protect Liberian refugees both during periods of peace and in times of conflict.