Liberian Community in Nigeria Condemns Rape Case at Embassy -Wants Govt to Probe Case, Assist Victim

MONROVIA : The Organization of Liberian Communities in Nigeria (OLICON), the umbrella union of Liberian citizens in Nigeria has strongly condemned the alleged sexual assault on a 7-year-old daughter of Mr. Nat Bayjay, Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, said to have been carried out by two dependents of a Diplomatic colleague right within the premises of our foreign mission here in Abuja. OLICON said it notes with interest that the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in Abuja represents the Government and people of Liberia, and the Sovereign territory of Liberia.

In press statement issued over the weekend in Abuja and signed by Mr. Daoda Kanneh, National  President of the organization, it said the situation is bewildering, to say the least, that a rape incident would occur in the premises that represent the same government that had taken novel steps against Gender-Based Violence by inaugurating a “Gender Based Violence Interagency Taskforce” to respond appropriately to any infraction of law, as statutorily required by the Government’s Domestic Violence Act.

“The Organization of Liberian Communities in Nigeria (OLICON) stands for the protection and promotion of the general wellbeing of its members (our citizens), including the protection of our women and girls. “We call on the Government of Liberia to give credence to its zero-tolerance commitment against sexual violence by handling this alleged rape incident appropriately as this will send a clear message that no one is above the law and serve as a deterrent to potential defaulters no matter how highly placed, while at the same time, encouraging other victims to report incidents of sexual abuse. Ultimately, this incident has a bearing on the baby girl and her family’s emotional and mental wellbeing”, the statement said.

The statement concluded that as the matter is currently passing through due process of the law, it calls on the authority to expeditiously and legally deal with the case as well as call on all stakeholders, including the Government of Liberia, to assist not only the baby girl, but her family with both psycho-social and economic support.