Tag Archive for ‘Carter Center’
Liberia: Police Used Excessive Force and Fired Weapons on Unarmed Persons, Says Carter Center
“Eyewitness accounts and video strongly suggest that the LNP used excessive force and fired weapons on unarmed persons, resulting in several deaths. Peacekeeping forces deployed by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) played a critical role in restraining the LNP and restoring order”;
Opposition Party Launches Final Campaign Rally in the Streets of Liberia, After Gov’t Refused Use of Public Facilities
“An official of the party told this outlet that the motive behind the Unity Party led government refusal is because its standard bearer, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is contesting the elections for second term and refusing to permit their party the use of those facilities is the government fearing that the opposition CDC will out perform the Unity Party last Saturday’s campaign rally and only want the images from their rally to remain in the psychics of the Liberian voters until the elections as a psychological ploy that will give the impression the huge gathering indicates the Unity Party is the choice of the Liberian people for this year’s elections and ultimately lure them to vote for the party”.
In Wake of Denying CDC and Opposition Parties Use of Public Faciclities, Carter Center Calls for Level Playing Feild
“Inequitable access to public buildings and public spaces for campaign events undermines the aspiration of a level playing field during the campaign period.4 Access for political parties to public facilities in Liberia is ensured by article 10.21 of the Liberian Election Law, which states that “Political parties are also privileged to use, and shall not be denied the right to use any public building or such facilities necessary and appropriate for their purpose,” so long as a “timely request” is made. While noting that a number of rallies and other party events have taken place in public facilities, including in recent weeks, Carter Center observers have received several complaints from political parties that they have been denied access, in apparent contravention of the elections law.”
