Influencing National Policy Through Legislative Advocacy

The following report from the HRM details the first phase for the Influencing National Policy Through Legislative Advocacy project. This project aims to influence national policies by working specifically with the Liberian Legislature as well as the entire government of Liberia to reduce poverty and promote sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation in post-war Liberia. Please see the report for further details on the exciting movement that is happening among local Liberians, including youth.

Report on the First Phase of the Project “Influencing National Policy Through Legislative Advocacy”

Press Release Concerning Local Human Rights Issues

The following is a press release by the UMC Human Rights Monitor. The statements reflect the Monitor's stance on several current issues affecting local citizens of Liberia. For further information or questions, please feel free to contact us.

UMC Human Rights Monitor Press Release

UMC HUMAN RIGHTS MONITOR COMMENDED

According to the Tuesday, January 12, 2010 edition of the In Profile Daily News Paper of Liberia, the Human Rights Monitor of the United Methodist Church of the Liberia Annual Conference has been commended and termed as human rights organization of the year 2009 in Liberia. Citizens from Rivercesss, Grand Bassas and Margibi including Bong and Montserrado Counties labeled the Human Rights Monitor organization of the year 2009 because, according to the News Paper, the hard work and splendid performances during the period under review.

The citizens commended the Human Rights Monitor for the construction of hand pumps in their respective Counties and for the level of humanitarian gesture exhibited during the year 2009. They named some of the achievements made by the Monitor as the holding of workshops in their respective Counties that discussed economic and social justice issues as well as development, human rights and other related things, which was intended to educate and empower citizens in these parts of the Country.

The citizens however praised the Monitor for the release of four inmates from various prisons in Monrovia and Kakata, Montserrado and Margibi Counties. When quizzed as to how they knew that a number of four prisoners were released from prison, some intimated that some of those released are connected to them. "If most of the human rights organizations in the Country were like the United Methodist Church Human Rights Monitor, then Liberia will become a better place as there will be a high sensitization of basic human rights and among other issues", remarked one resident.

The United Methodist Church Human Rights Monitor was established in 1995 and has since then been serving the Liberian society in the areas of social and economic justice, peace, development and legal aid. The Monitor has been involved in civic and human rights education/awareness, mobilizing communities to take action in addressing human rights situation in the Country. Since the founding of the Monitor in 1995, there have been three directors including Glenn Cooper, George Barrolle and Jefferson B. Knight who currently serves as Program Director. He was appointed in 2007 by the Resident Bishop John G. Innis of the United Methodist Church during the Liberia Annual Conference held in Harper City, Maryland County, Liberia.