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36th Universal Periodic Review: UK statement on Liberia

The UK delivers statement on Liberia at the 36th Session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 2 November, sharing recommendations to improve their human rights record.

• From: UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Other International Organisations (Geneva)
• Published: 4 November 2020

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

The Universal Periodic Review takes place in Geneva.

The UK would like to thank Liberia for its engagement with the UPR process.

We recognise the impact that Covid-19 has had on Liberia, and we hope adequate steps will be taken to support the most vulnerable in society whose income has been affected the most by the pandemic.

The UK welcomes the introduction of Liberia’s Roadmap on Ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence (2020-2022). It is encouraging that Liberia is taking tangible steps to address the root causes as well as planning legislative improvements.

We recommend that Liberia:

1. Focus the anti-Sexual and Gender Based Violence response on prevention (including through increasing the proportion of girls in education) and engagement with local actors.

2. Prioritise resources for the identification of victims of trafficking, including internal trafficking, and more vigorously investigate and prosecute traffickers, including officials accused of complicity.

3. Adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections.

Published 4 November 2020