By Archie Boan
The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) of Liberia has presented a critical human rights report at the United Nations in Geneva, highlighting persistent harmful practices and systemic gaps in Liberia’s human rights landscape.
“…Harmful practices persist through the continued issuance of traditional licenses. Detainees in prisons and hospitalized citizens were excluded from voting in 2023,” Atty. Urias Teh Pour, Executive Director, Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).
Delivering the statement on behalf of the INCHR, Executive Director Atty. Urias Teh Pour addressed an international audience of diplomats and delegates, noting that while there has been notable progress, several challenges continue to undermine the rights of Liberians, particularly women, detainees, and vulnerable communities.
INCHR, a nationally recognized ‘A’ status human rights institution established in 2005, used the platform to report on four key thematic areas: Women’s Rights; Rule of Law; Economic, Social & Cultural Rights; and Institutions & Policies.
Women’s Rights
According to Atty. Pour, the suspension of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) until January 2026 is a significant step forward, with the government recently sanctioning local authorities who violated the moratorium in August 2025. Additionally, a draft law to criminalize FGM is under consideration, and the Domestic Violence Act of 2019 is currently being reviewed to strengthen protections and survivor compensation mechanisms.
INCHR Recommendation: Accelerate the criminalization of FGM, ensure the release of children from traditional bush schools, and implement the Domestic Violence Act with adequate compensation for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Rule of Law
Liberia has seen positive reforms such as the abolition of trial by ordeal and the enactment of the Kamara A. Kamara Act of 2019, which decriminalized free speech.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has also been empowered with direct prosecutorial authority.
However, the INCHR raised concerns over ongoing harmful customary practices enabled through the continued issuance of traditional licenses. Additionally, the commission reported that detainees and hospitalized citizens were excluded from participating in the 2023 elections.
INCHR Recommendation: Abolish harmful traditional practices, promote awareness on the role of traditional leaders in upholding human rights, and reform electoral laws to ensure inclusive participation for all citizens.
Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
The INCHR acknowledged the government’s adoption of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (2018–2023) and its successor, the ARREST Agenda (2024–2029), aimed at improving socio-economic conditions.
Despite these frameworks, the Commission reported that both agendas suffer from inadequate resources, poor implementation, and a lack of inclusive grassroots participation.
INCHR Recommendation: Increase budgetary allocations to national development plans and ensure community-level consultation and participation in decision-making processes.
Institutions & Policies
Though the INCHR’s operational budget increased by 12% between 2024 and 2025, Atty. Pour emphasized that the Commission remains chronically underfunded and understaffed, limiting its capacity to fulfill its mandate effectively.
The Commission also renewed calls for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), including national memorialization, reconciliation efforts, and accountability for war-era crimes.
INCHR Recommendation: Provide adequate funding to the INCHR and act on the TRC’s recommendations to ensure justice and healing for victims of Liberia’s civil conflict.
In closing, Atty. Pour urged the international community to support Liberia’s human rights development, stressing that while progress has been made, critical gaps remain.
“We call on the international community to support Liberia in closing these gaps,” he said.
“So that commitments become action and reforms translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of all Liberians.”
