Government slams US human rights report

The government today slammed a US State Department report on human rights practices for 1998, describing it as neither “credible nor authentic”. A government statement, reported by Star radio, said the report was compiled by people who lacked understanding of critical issues in Liberia. In its report, the State Department accused Liberia of a poor human rights record, with security forces carrying out “many extrajudicial killings”. The judicial system, “hampered by ineffeciency, corruption and a lack of resources”, was unable to ensure citizens’ rights to due process and a fair trial, the report said. Freedom of the press and freedom of movement were restricted. Violence against women and children remained a problem, and forced labour - often using children - persisted in rural areas, according to the report.