Government persecuting rights defenders, Human Rights Watch says

Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned the Liberian government on Tuesday for persecuting rights defenders, saying the government has intensified its harassment and intimidation of the independent press, civil society groups, and non-violent political opposition groups.

HRW said it was concerned about Tiawan Gongloe, a prominent Liberian lawyer, who was arrested on Sunday, for the second time in less than a month. He was detained for four hours and prevented from leaving the country to observe elections in Sierra Leone, as part of the Carter Centre team, HRW added.

"The continued persecution of human rights lawyer Tiawan Gongloe, symbolises the (President Charles) Taylor government’s disappointing disregard for the rule of law," said Peter Takirambudde of HRW’s Africa division. "Gongloe had done nothing more than call on the government to respect human rights."

Gongloe’s latest arrest came when he was still recovering after being severely beaten in police custody on 24 April. He had been held in hospital under police guard for one week before being released on bond. No charges were ever brought against him, HRW added.

"This incident is the most recent in a spate of arrests carried out by the government since it imposed a state of emergency on 8 February. In the face of renewed rebel action and negative international publicity, the government of President Charles Taylor has become increasingly intolerant of criticism," HRW said.

Meanwhile tension remained high in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, on Tuesday as reports of fighting between government troops and rebels in Bong and Bomi Counties, continued to be received.
Humanitarian workers said more displaced people had arrived in the city from areas where fighting was reportedly taking place including Klay junction, Tubmanburg, Arthington and on the outskirts of the capital. An interagency needs assessment was being planned.

The rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) said their forces were advancing on Monrovia by way of Klay, in Bomi County. LURD said in a statement on Sunday that Suehn district, Klay and nearby towns were under their control.