RAL Reminds Lawmakers

-Of An ‘Ant-Torture Bill’ Submitted In 2011

Reuben Sei Waylaun

Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL), a local nongovernmental human rights organization is reminding members of the 54^th National Legislature of an ‘anti-torture Bill’ it submitted in 2011 for an enactment into law.

Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL) Program Manager, Sam Nimley

According to RAL, the Bill seeks to criminalize torture under the law of Liberia. However, the Bill since 2011 has not been passed and is reportedly in committee room of the House of Representatives for review.

“The result of the submission of the Bill is predicated upon Liberia acceptance of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations made to Liberia by other countries including Spain and the United States of America,” RAL said in a statement issued in Monrovia Monday.

The reminder is in commemoration of this year’s World Torture Day which is celebrated June 26 every year around the world.

Liberia will join the world abolitionists in observance of June 26 World Torture Day “RAL would like to take the opportunity to appeal to your honorable office to use your influence on your colleagues in the House of Representatives to have the political will and pass into law the ant-torture Bill so that torture can be abolished in Liberia as it is not a good thing to practice.”

Meanwhile, Rescue Alternatives Liberia (RAL), is encouraging the government of Liberia especially the National Legislature to have the political will to meet its regional and international obligations by ratifying all regional and international human rights instruments accepting and raise awareness on those instruments so that the public can be informed.

“Let’s together fight to abolish torture as it is not a good thing to practice. Torture leads to untimely death and shouldn’t be used to get statement or confession from an accused person,” RAL added.