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.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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