Complaint Against the UN in Maryland (Liberia)

Wives, Children & Love Ones of the March 2010 Detainees
Green Street, Harper City, Maryland County, R.L.
CELL: 0880742240/692.0151



December 16, 2010

Ellen Margrethe Loj
SPECIAL REP of the SECRETARY-GENERAL/COORDINATOR/UN OPERATIONS in LIBERIA
Monrovia, Liberia


Dear Madam Margrethe Loj:

We trust you are enjoying God’s grace and doing well with your varied responsibilities in reference to peace & stability in Liberia!

This eletter occasions an official COMPLAINT against UNMIL Security in Harper, Maryland County, Republic of Liberia and it is also in compliance to the request of Mr. Lino, officer in charge at The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) office in Harper City, Maryland County to submit our issues as they affect UNMIL & the Liberian government.

Last night, an UNMIL officer by the name of “Nicodemus” harshly approached us (women, men & children of the March 2010 Detainees) who peaceably assembled at the front gate of UNMIL Headquarters located on Maryland Avenue, Harper City to peaceably put forward our deepest concerns why our love ones are being denied Due Process under the Law. IN HIS VIOLENT ACT, "NICODEMUS" Threw fear among us. This violent approach by Mr. Nicodemus was uncalled for, irresponsible and devastating to all of us as women children. This man used profane language with intent to intimidate, scare and cause emotional distress. The little children were terrified! This traumatic situation continued for more than an hour before Mr. Lino of the civil affairs department of UNMIL interceded on our behalf. Thanks to Mr. Lino for his intersession. Otherwise, some of us (women) including the little children would have been crushed under this man’s vengeance!

Madam Loj, we are sure you are aware of the March 24-25, 2010 arbitrary arrests that took place in Harper City, Maryland County under the instructions and orders of the Government of the Republic of Liberia. Several individual citizens and residents were arrested provoking an outcry of Constitutional and Human rights violations. Suddenly, the Liberian government released a majority of the detainees arrested on cardboard box evidence driven by a juju man’s “mojo.” Addition to that, other detainees were sent to court. In the Case of Amb. H. Dan Moraise, the Harper Magisterial Court threw the Case over the window for lack of evidence. Another case is with Cllr. Fulton Yancy - he was accused of possessing human “blood.” After several forensic examinations, the Circuit Court of Maryland County exonerated Cllr. Yancy. Today, Amb. H. Dan Moraise and Cllr. Yancy are free men.

Unfortunately, Madam Loj, nine (9) other citizens and resident of ours still languish behind bars for similar charges. This particular group was arrested along with the rest that have been set free. They were to face Trial in Harper City. But in early April, the Liberian government with the help of UNMIL in Maryland whisked these detainees off to an unknown location under the cover of darkness. Fear gripped the County as a result. No one knew where the detainees (our Loves Ones) were taken and what would happen to them. Soon, we were told they surfaced in the Zwedru Maximum Prison Compound reserved for CONVICTS. Knowing fully well our Love Ones were never tried and convicted, keeping them in a facility set for CONVICTS violated their Constitutional and Human rights. When we alarmed, the Government shipped them to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia with the intent to prosecute them in a court of competent jurisdiction. But to our distaste, the Government continues to wobble in its case of prosecution. On numerous occasions, the Government claimed its witnesses are not “available.” Worse of all, some of its “witnesses’ that we know in Maryland have issued a Declaration that they (“witnesses") will never show up in Court. This line of underdevelopment tells any normal person that the Liberian government has no case and/or evidence against the accused detainees. As such, it is rather prudent and proper to release our Love Ones effective immediately and unconditionally or prosecute them on the “evidence" the Government says it has. The failure of the Government to do either one will leave us with no other alternative but to resolve to Passive Resistance, Civil Disobedience in nonviolent actions. For example, we may not vote come 2011. We might resolve to series of campaigns against unjust laws and practices.

Madam Loj, we have a serious problem with The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) activities during these series of arbitrary arrests on March 24-25, 2010. UNMIL motor vehicles were used to transport the accused to jail. UNMIL Police and Military were visibly present during the arbitrary arrests. In some cases, UNMIL personnel were involved in pointing out individuals to be arrested. When we personally approached the UNMIL staff in Harper City (Lino & Dipesh) they told us UNMIL was only providing “logistical support and advice to the Liberian government.” Madam Loj, you will agree, we are sure, this is very confusing. How can a “neutral” body like UNMIL provide support of any sort to a government engaged in unlawful, illegal and inhumane activities? Please help to explain this to us.

There’s more to all this, but we will save time and space to stop this far. Even though, as a result of the UNMIL officer’s (Nicodemus) outburst, we are undergoing emotional distress. But all the same, we are resolved to remain in the front gate of UNMIL Headquarters in Harper City until the Liberian government alongside UNMIL (the provider of logistic and advise) decides to immediately try our Love Ones in a competent court of jurisdiction or free them on or before Xmas Day, 2010!

THIS IS OUR DECISION!

We look forward to hearing from you very soon! Be well & Peace!

Sincerely,


Felecia Allison/Spokesperson


Annie Lincoln/Communication & Dissemination of Info
APPROVED:

Thomas G. Bedell/Advisor/Social Justice Advocate