The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
December 24, 2019

Congressman Chris Smith - (R-NJ)

The Magnitsky Act, initially known as the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Accountability Act of 2012 is a bi-partisan bill passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by former President Barack Obama on December 14, 2012, with the intention of administering punishments to those responsible for the death of a Russian Lawyer and Auditor Sergei Magnitsky.  Since 2016, the Act has been used to globally impose sanctions on human rights abusers, freeze their respective assets and ban them from entering the United States of America. Rep. Chris Smith’s concern about the prevailing worsening political and human rights situation in Liberia may force the US Government to impose Magnitsky Sanctions on Liberian Government officials. Rep. Smith's statement is published below:

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ),  Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Africa and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued the following statement of concern regarding worsening political conditions in Liberia:

 “Human rights advocates are increasingly alarmed by the deterioration of civil and political rights and the corruption that is occurring in Liberia under President George Weah.  I am especially concerned by allegations surrounding Monrovia Mayor Jefferson Koijee and the thuggish behavior of the Congress for Democratic Change Security Force he heads.

“Credible allegations of serious human and civil rights violations–including attempted murder, rape, unlawful arrest, detention and torture–have been attributed to Mayor Koijee by the International Justice Group, a US-based non-government organization.

“Especially in light of our historic ties to Liberia, the United States Congress will be closely monitoring the mass public demonstration that is scheduled to occur on December 30 in Monrovia, and I call upon the government of Liberia to respect the free speech and assembly rights of Liberian citizens.  Anyone who suppresses these fundamental rights, or engages in ongoing corrupt acts, may very well become subject to targeted Global Magnitsky sanctions.”

Youth activist Martin Kollie, after having being tortured on the day of his graduation from the University of Liberia, had to eventually flee Liberia owing to the prevailing human rights abuses in the country.  Even Talkshow Host Henry P. Costa who recently arrived in Liberia has experienced these abuses and in some cases had to take cover.

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