We, the members of the United Nimba citizens' Council (UNICCO) in the United States of America , have learned with utter dismay that at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, 2002, the prominent Liberian human rights lawyer and son of Nimba, Counselor Tiawan Gongloe, was arbitrarily arrested by Special Security Forces of the Government of Liberia. It is alleged that Counselor Tiawan Gongloe was severely beaten and he is wounded in the left eye. We also understand that he remains detained at the national police headquarters in Monrovia.

We request that there should be full access to counselor Gongloe by family members and friends; that his security and personal wellbeing be guaranteed and that his human and constitutional rights be respected by the government. For whatever reason there may be for his arrest, we also demand that the due process of law be respected and applied.

We therefore call on the Taylor government to see reason in taking appropriate action to release Counselor Gongloe immediately from further detention. We also call on the government to refrain from the persecution of innocent citizens and the leaders of civil society. The government must act to forge reconciliation, national unity and peace. This will help to improve the image of the government in the international community

Issued this 26th day of April 2002.

Singed:
Anthony Koneh
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN