Liberia: ActionAid Liberia, EU Launch New Program for Key Population Groups

ActionAid Liberia and the European Union (EU) have launched a new program aimed at strengthening the resilience of key population groups and human rights defenders across four counties in Liberia. 

The project seeks to protect and empower key population groups and human rights defenders in Liberia to live free of discrimination, violence, and stigmatization and will take place in Bong, Grand Bassa, Margibi and Montserrado counties.

The two-year project, which is co-funded by the EU, seeks to also enhance the protection mechanisms and strengthen the resilience of key population groups and human rights defenders.

“As actors, it is our collective responsibility to advance programs, actions, and policies that will contribute to everyone enjoying their fundamental human rights as enshrined in various global, regional, and national frameworks, particularly the Liberian Constitution,” Nkechni Ilochi-Kanny,  ActionAid’s head of programs, said at the launch of the program.

As for Laurent Delahousse, the EU Ambassador, Liberia is still faced with issues relating to the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people as well as regular incidences of people being beaten up.

Delahousse added that he was delighted that the program  launch took place on May 17 which is the International Day against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia.

However, Delahousse said he was frustrated that not much attention is given to such a day and called on international partners to make the day more visible.

“In Africa, it is more difficult for the common people to be made to understand and accept different philosophies and different ways to take life and love it,” the EU Ambassador said. “And for instance, even the EU has difficulty with their staff because there are people working for the EU delegation who say it is dangerous for them as promoters of alternative sexualities to be put in danger, and we don’t want to put anybody in danger.”

Meanwhile, a proxy for the Minister of Internal Affairs, Emmanuel Wheinyue, noted in a statement that Liberia is a respecter of human rights, and as such, the government stands ready to support human rights backed by the Constitution of Liberia.

“The Constitution of Liberia talks about human rights, and it is [for] these fundamental rights that the government stands. The Ministry of Internal Affairs strongly supports every aspect of our law. We will continue to abide by the Constitution of Liberia and uphold the culture of Liberia,” Wheinyue said.