-As Pre-trial detainees increases to 67.5%

In observance of Africa Pre-Trial detention day, a local human rights organization, Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) has called for a fair and timely trial in the justice system of Liberia to avoid prolonged periods of pre-trial detention and overcrowded prison.

Addressing a news conference on Thursday, April 25, 2024, IDHR Executive Director, H. Matthew Turry said, ‘Accordingly, statistics gathered from prison sources in Liberia have indicated that the total number of pretrial detainees is 2,112 constituting 67.5% while sentenced inmates totaled 1,016 which is 32.5%. Of the number of pretrial detainees, 1970 are male detainees with female detainees accounting for 93 and 42 male juveniles with 7 female juveniles. 

The IDHR ED added that as for the convicted inmates, there are 969 male convicts, 33 female convicts and 14 male juveniles with no female juveniles convicted. 

“In many cases, these individuals are held in detention for extended periods of time, often without access to legal representation or the opportunity to represent their case before a judge. This practice not only violates the fundamental human rights of the individuals detained, but it also has far-reaching social and economic consequences for communities and societies at large”, he asserted.

He said the accused individuals are often disproportionately affected by the practice of pre-trial detention and are at a higher risk of experiencing human rights abuses and injustices within the criminal justice system.

He added that those individuals often languish in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, stripped of their dignity and basic human rights with Liberia being of no exception. 

Rights defender Matthew Turry urged the national government to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and human rights for all, and advocate for meaningful reforms that will address the root causes of pre-trial detention and ensure that every individual is afforded the right to a fair and impartial trial.

“We at IDHR believe that it is essential that we work towards ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, have access to a fair and timely trial, as well as implementing measures to expedite the judicial process and reduce the reliance on pre-trial detention as a means of addressing alleged criminal behavior”, he said.

Giving the historicity of the event, the IDHR boss said the Guidelines on the conditions of Arrest, Police Custody, and Pre-Trial Detention in Africa (the Luanda Guidelines) were adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, during its 55th Ordinary Session in Luanda, Angola, from 28 April to 12 May 2014.

Turry added that the date commemorates the day in 2015 when the Guidelines on Conditions of Arrest, Police Custody, and Pretrial Detention were officially set by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Luanda, Angola known as the Luanda Guidelines.

He noted that in 2014, the commission observed that justice systems in several African states were characterized by “arbitrary, excessive, and at times abusive recourse to police custody and pretrial detention

In defining the process, Turry said “Pre-trial detention refers to the imprisonment of individuals who have been accused of a crime, 

He said the theme of this year’s Africa Pre-Trial Detention Day “Promoting Access to Justice and Human Rights for All” underscores the urgent need to address the systemic issues that contribute to the widespread use of pre-trial detention and to advocate for the rights of those affected by this practice.