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26 August 2008
TBD
Human rights panel urges Liberia to re-consider death penalty
26/08/2008
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has called on Liberia to revisit the Act allowing capital punishment in the country.
In a statement issued today, the Committee says it is very concerned to learn that on 22 July, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf signed into law legislation envisaging the death penalty for a number of crimes.
The human rights panel recalls that Liberia is a party to the Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing the death penalty.
The Committee points out that the act signed by the President of Liberia is therefore a clear breach by Liberia of its international obligation under the Optional Protocol.
The Human Rights Committee urges Liberia to amend the Act as soon as possible and encourages it, in the meantime, to maintain the moratorium on the death penalty in place since 1979.
Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Dianne Penn
(duration: 58")
In a statement issued today, the Committee says it is very concerned to learn that on 22 July, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf signed into law legislation envisaging the death penalty for a number of crimes.
The human rights panel recalls that Liberia is a party to the Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing the death penalty.
The Committee points out that the act signed by the President of Liberia is therefore a clear breach by Liberia of its international obligation under the Optional Protocol.
The Human Rights Committee urges Liberia to amend the Act as soon as possible and encourages it, in the meantime, to maintain the moratorium on the death penalty in place since 1979.
Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Dianne Penn
(duration: 58")