The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) have raised issues relative to the Government of Liberia human rights activities. The JPC position was contained in a statement issued by its Director Cllr. Augustine Toe.

	• Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf

According to him, the Unity Party-led government has no agenda for the protection of the rights of the Liberian people, making reference to the reticence of government to constitute the Independent National Human Rights Commission of Liberia.

The government has not been able to constitute the Commission since it took office almost two years ago. He spoke yesterday during programs marking the observance of Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day held at the Monrovia city Hall yesterday.

The JPC said because government has failed to institute said noble body; it continues to violate the social, culture, economic and other rights of the people.

According to him, the Ellen-led administration has done nothing to demonstrate its commitment to upholding the rights of its citizens, adding that the observance of the day was a mere hilarity.

Apart from the failure of government to constitute the human rights commission abuses and violations of the rights of Liberians, he also alleged that litany of human rights abuses are taking place across the country with impunity and nothing is being done to check these incidents.

“Dozens of our  fellow men and women are  behind  bar; some  of them have been held without  just cause, and they  have  been  denied  justice,” Cllr. Toe  alleged. He observed that if all human rights advocates do not hold together, the entire country is likely to doom.

Cllr. Toe said the Ellen- led administration is not better than the government of former President Charles Taylor in terms of human rights records. Without citing any example of human rights violations under the Ellen-led government.

“What is obtaining today is not different from what obtained yesterday when Taylor was here. There is also no difference when Samuel Doe was here”, he stressed. He then challenged the Sir leaf-led administration to check her human rights records for the betterment of the Liberian society.

Bryant Apologizes To Court
Given 3-Days To Hire New Lawyers
By George J. Borteh

Former Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), who was recently detained at the Monrovia Central Prison for disrespecting orders from Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice, has finally apologized for his action. He expressed his regrets in open court yesterday when he appeared in Court.

	• Mr. Gyude Bryant

Former head of state, Charles Grude Bryant  who  finally  signed  the  notice of assignment in prison on Saturday on December 8, 2007 had earlier  refused to  honor on two occasions according  to  the  court said  his  action was  not  intentional.

Appearing  in court yesterday, the former  NTGL boss told  the  court that  he was  waiting  for a response from a  letter he  wrote to Justice  Boimah Kontoe before honoring  the  notice of  assignment  from  the  court.

”Your Honor, I thought the response of my letter written to you could have produced response or result before appearing in Court. I never knew your Honor, I apologize for my action,” Bryant garbed in a blue coat suit said.

The former Liberian Head of State who has not legal representation personally submitted an application requesting the court for enough time to be able to hire lawyers of his desire.

But  his  submission was  met with a strong  resistance  from  the  government  lawyers requesting  or praying court  to allow Mr. Bryant give  special time frame and not  just  enough  time  as  submitted by defendant.

Resisting Mr. Bryant ‘s submission in court yesterday, state lawyers headed by  Montserrado  County Attorney  Samuel  Jacobs said  “the  government  is  willing  to  make lawyers available to Mr. Bryant to plead for him. The government will provide him a lawyer or lawyers if he desires,” Atty Jacobs told the court.

Ruling on the submission of Mr. Bryant and the resistance from the state lawyers or prosecution, Judge Boimah Kantoe reminded Bryant to lay aside any fear about he may have harbored. He also encouraged him to be submissive or respect any mandate from the court.

The Judge then clarified that Bryant’s detention at the Monrovia Central Prison has nothing to do with the ongoing trial. Judge Kantoe however granted Mr. Byant’s submission and denied prosecution resistance.

According to the Criminal Court C Judge, Mr. Bryant has up to Friday December 14, 2007 to have a new team of lawyers for his defense. Judge Kantoe called on both parties to be present on time on Friday 14 Dec 22007 at 11:00am