Africa-Press – Liberia. Monrovia- A coalition of human rights actors in Liberia is advancing a strategic advocacy roadmap aimed at securing government endorsement of the National Human Rights Defenders Policy of Liberia.
The group, operating under the banner of the Liberia Coalition for Human Rights Defenders (LICHRD), recently held a two-day capacity-building workshop in Monrovia.
The event, hosted at Corina Hotel in Monrovia, focused on strengthening participants’ ability to campaign for the protection of human rights defenders nationwide.
Speaking after the workshop, LICHRD National Chairperson, Niedoteh Boyd Torber, emphasized the coalition’s renewed commitment to engaging the government.
He noted that the National Human Rights Defenders Policy has been drafted for over a year.
Despite being submitted to the government, it remains unendorsed. The coalition now seeks a more proactive strategy to push for its adoption.
“The endorsement of this policy remains a priority issue that needs urgent attention,” Mr. Torber stated.
According to Mr. Torber, human rights advocacy in Liberia has historically been a struggle for social justice.
Activists often operate without legal protection, making them vulnerable. The policy is intended to provide a formal framework to safeguard defenders and support their work.
The policy has lingered without significant government engagement. Human rights defenders continue to face risks due to the absence of legal protection mechanisms.
The workshop aimed to develop a new, strategic advocacy roadmap, strengthen collaboration among human rights actors, design more effective engagement strategies with the government.
The event was facilitated and funded by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR).
Antoine Tremblay, African Program Coordinator at ISHR, praised the commitment of Liberian human rights defenders.
He highlighted that ISHR has supported LICHRD throughout the policy development process.
There is optimism that the new roadmap will lead to stronger government engagement. Collaboration between government and defenders -if endorsed, the policy is expected to provide legal protection for human rights defenders,
create a safer environment for civil society advocacy something that enable activists to operate without fear -strengthen efforts toward improved living conditions for citizens.
Human rights actors remain hopeful that with renewed advocacy efforts and international support, the Liberian government will prioritize and endorse the National Human Rights Defenders Policy, ensuring better protection for those advocating for justice and human rights.
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