Liberia: UN expert calls for probe into suspected ritualistic killings

GENEVA (10 December 2021) - A UN human rights expert today called on the Liberian Government to promptly investigate a series of killings that have occurred this year, some of which have reportedly been linked to ritualistic practices.

At least 10 people have been killed in unclear circumstances in 2021, including five in September reportedly with suspected links to ritualistic practices or political motivations. According to information received by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz,three of the most recent victims were either former officials or had links to high profile former politicians.  

The Liberian Independent National Commission on Human Rights and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court have both called for full investigations into the killings.

“Prompt, independent and thorough investigations into potentially unlawful killings is a key component of the right to life. These investigations should be conducted in accordance with the standards enshrined in The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death,” said Tidball-Binz.

“Investigations should fully explore all possible motivations for these killings.

“Investigations should not only be aimed at bringing those responsible to justice, but also to draw necessary lessons for revising practices and policies with a view to avoiding repeated violations.”

UN human rights bodies have previously raised concerns and called for investigations into ritualistic killings in Liberia, including the Human Rights Committee in 2018.  

The expert has written to the Government to raise his concerns.

ENDS

* The expert: Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions is a medical doctor specialized in forensic science, human rights and humanitarian action. He is currently an Adjunct Clinical Professor in Forensic Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia and a Visiting Professor of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Ethics and Medical Law, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal and of the Department of Biomedical Health Sciences, University of Milano, Italy. Mr. Tidball-Binz previously for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where he helped to establish and served as the first director of the Forensic Services and Unit. He also co-founded and directed the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, an organization that pioneered the application of scientific methods to investigate serious violations of human rights and crimes against humanity.

Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.