- United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has released a report on the human rights situation in Liberia, focusing on violations on economic, social, political, sexual and gender-based rights.
The report, which covers May to October 2007, contained several violations of rights, including three reported cases in Monstserrado County where some parents allegedly attempted to sell their children to buy food.
"In May, a man was arrested by the Liberia National Police in Montserrado County while selling his nine-year old son for US $502 allegedly to buy food," the report notes.
The report uncovered endemic corrupt practices within Liberia's criminal justice system, thus undermining public confidence in the system, subvert justice as well as allow human rights violations and abuses to go unpunished.
Also contained is the poor detention conditions, including operation of unofficial or private detention facilities. Sexual and gender-based violence, including rape and forced marriages, were undoubtedly among the major challenges in Liberia. And ironically, some serious cases have been settled out of court.
The findings express concern about reported abuse of authority by government officers and continuous holding of office by justices of peace, despite the expiration of their mandates and commissions.
The report urges the government to address the major human rights challenges, allocate more resources to the education sector as a way of ensuring effective implementation of right to education and outlaw all forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment and fermale genital mutilation.
Established by UN Security Council Resolution 1509 on 19 September 2003, UNMIL's mandate includes protecting and promoting human rights in Liberia, with particular attention to vulnerable groups - refugees, returning refugees, internally displaced persons, women and children.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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