28 August 2009

The Executive Director of the Rescue Alternative Liberia (RAL), Jarlee Tweh Geegbe says a one day consultative meeting amongst stakeholders in the country to draft an anti torture bill expected to start in Gbarnga City, Bong County.

He said the meeting is gear towards drafting the bill in order to make it a crime under the laws of Liberia, stating that torture in Liberia has not been considered under the country's criminal justice system over the past years. Mr. Geegbe also said at the consultative working meeting, ideas will be solicited as to what should found part of the anti torture bill which according to him will be submitted to the 52nd national legislature.

He made the disclosure yesterday before his departure to the city of Gbarnga City in Bong County. According to Mr. Geegbe, the 1986 Liberian Constitution under article 21 (e), and the United Nations Convention against torture article (4), request that torture be considered as a crime.

"at this working meeting, we are going to solicit ideas in what should be part of that bill that will be submitted to the national legislature making torture a crime as requested for under article 21 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution and the UN Convention against torture article (4)" Mr. Geegbe.

Speaking furthered, he said that the Gbarnga consultative meeting will not be the only one, more meeting have planned for Montserrado Constitution and the UN Convention against torture.

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