On March 24 & 25, 2010, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Liberia authorized the arrest and subsequent detention of more than sixteen (16) Liberian citizens and one foreign national. These individuals were whisked off the streets of Harper by the Liberia National Police hands-in-gloves with The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) paramilitary force. This was done in front of terrified children, friends, relatives and the elderly. The Liberian government has accused these citizens and foreign residence of 'ritualistic killings.” Its accusation is based on a juju man’s “mojo.” Currently these detainees are being held in appalling conditions in jail without having convicted them of any crime.
Some of the Detainees are academic, human rights campaigners and Local government officials who have subscribed to certain political ideologies.
In recent years some of these individuals have worked in several areas in an effort to raise awareness of the political situation faced by the people of Maryland County. This work is thought to have angered the “power-to-Be” including the local and legislative leadership of Maryland County. And so these so-called Government officials seeking a second, third & fourth term in the Legislature are trying to present the international community with a false picture of what is occurring in Maryland County to cover-up the abuses.
The detention of these men and woman is yet another attempt to silence those who speak out against the Maryland legislative and local government. The international community needs to protest against the authoritarian and abusive policies of the Liberian government and to campaign for the release of these fine young men and woman.
I am Thomas G. Bedell I speak and work on the ground in Liberia!
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