Women Decry Criminal Activities

January 20, 2005 - (The Inquirer - Monrovia) Liberian women want the government to institute prompt action against suspected criminals who continue to pose threat to peaceful residents in the Capital, and other parts of the country.

Addressing members of the Joint Security of Liberia during their regularly session at the Justice Ministry yesterday, where they marched to, the spokesperson of the women, Madam Ruth Caesar said their protest is meant to draw the state's attention to the prevailing state of insecurity, especially what they as women are faced with at the hands of the suspected criminals.

She recounted how every second in a day and night, a woman is robbed or raped by suspected criminal and nothing but apparently, nothing is being done to stop it.

"We are raising this concern to government and demand that immediate measures be taken because the situation is gradually getting out of hand. Why should we live in fear in our own country with the huge presence of the United Nations Mission that is responsible for security, together with our own security forces?" she asked.

Madam Caesar reiterated that in the districts of Paynesville, Duala, Gardnersville, Sinkor, Central Monrovia and other environs, women are either mobbed or raped, and the situation has generally become too dangerous for residents.

Responding to the women's concern, Justice Minister Kabineh Ja'neh assured them that within the next 72 hours, measures would be taken.

He said though the responsibility of state security has been placed in the hands of the UN mission here, it does not mean that the local security should not play a meaningful role in working aside with them.

"Last October's violence in Monrovia which affected everyone is a test case for this country emerging out of war. Often time, we have difficulties especially so when people are arrested, charged and forwarded to court, as sooner than later they are set free on bail. And we can not hold anybody outside the law," Minister Ja'neh noted.

Other government officials present at the meeting were National Security Agency boss, Freddie Taylor; Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization Commissioner Abraham Mitchell; Acting Director of the Liberia National Police, Col. Joseph Kerkula among others

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200501200731.html