STAND Puts Justice Minister on Notice -Outlines Motives, Schedule of July 17 Protest

MONROVIA – The organizers of the much-talked-about July 17 protest, STAND and its partners, have official notified the Attorney General of Liberia, Cllr. Oswald Tweah, about the pending event.

In a communication with the subject, “Official Notification of July 15–17 Peaceful Protest,” the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), in consortium with WE THE PEOPLE Movement and several collaborating civil society organizations across Liberia, wrote: “Through this letter, we write to officially inform your office—pursuant to Chapter III, Article 17 of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia—of our intention to peacefully assemble in accordance with the law, international human rights protocols, and consistent democratic practice in Liberia’s history.”

In the build-up to the nationwide peaceful protest, two separate civic events are scheduled to take place, beginning on July 15, 2025, and culminating on July 17, 2025, under the theme “Enough Is Enough”, the group said. “This sequence of activities—particularly the July 17 protest—constitutes a lawful and nonviolent civic campaign aimed at demanding justice, accountability, good governance, and respect for the rule of law.”

Firmly grounded in constitutional principles, STAND and partners said,
the peaceful demonstration will mobilize thousands of Liberians from all walks of life, giving voice to the conscience of a nation confronted by deepening hardship and democratic deterioration.”

The communication to the Justice Minister then outline the schedule of activities and reasons for the project.

Day I – July 15, 2025: Memorial Parade & Symbolic Burial of War Victims.

Twenty symbolic caskets honoring each of Liberia’s fifteen counties, the victims of our devastating civil wars (including foreign nationals), the three lives lost in the Kinjor Massacre, and all those slain by extrajudicial killings — will be solemnly carried from Broad Street to Palm Grove Cemetery.

This sacred procession is more than a march; it is a moment of collective national mourning, a dignified symbolic burial for those denied justice, and a heartfelt tribute to their memory. It echoes the deep pain of our past while boldly reaffirming our shared vow: never again will Liberia descend into war.

Day II – July 16, 2025: Peace Caravan Tour

A decorated Peace Vehicle will tour Montserrado County and surrounding communities, promoting nonviolence, civic awareness, and unity in the lead-up to the protest.

Day III – July 17, 2025: Nationwide Peaceful Protest

Liberians will peacefully converge at the Capital Bypass in Central Monrovia. Demonstrators will include youth groups, women organizations, civil servants, community leaders, Motorcyclists, Kehkeh operators, petty traders, students and citizens from rural and urban areas. The purpose: To collectively raise their voices against systemic injustice, misrule, corruption, and democratic deterioration.

Legal and Constitutional Justification

This protest is firmly anchored in Article 17 of the Constitution of Liberia, which guarantees that:

“All persons, at all times, in an orderly and peaceable manner, shall have the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition the Government or other functionaries for the redress of grievances and to associate fully with others or refuse to associate in political parties, trade unions and other organizations.”

Furthermore, Liberia is a signatory to several international human rights instruments that affirm the right to peaceful assembly, including: Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which recognizes the right of peaceful assembly and provides that no restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society; Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which guarantees every individual’s right to assemble freely with others.

These legal standards and instruments form the cornerstone of our democratic tradition and mandate the state to uphold—not suppress—civic participation.

The letter continued: “It is important to recall, Mr. Minister, that many of the current actors in this government, including President Boakai, were themselves afforded the full protection and space to organize peaceful assemblies, most notably the widely publicized June 7, 2019 protest led by then-opposition forces.

That protest, conducted without violence, stood as a testament to Liberia’s democratic maturity and the state’s constitutional obligation to safeguard civil liberties. We expect no less from this administration.

Why Protest Is Inevitable

The national crisis Liberia faces is no longer tolerable to its citizens. Our demands are grounded in reality and backed by verifiable evidence, including but not limited to: Governance and Rule of Law

            •           Systemic disregard for constitutional order.

            •           Rise in extrajudicial killings and mysterious deaths.

            •           Corruption with impunity.

            •           Unlawful dismissals of public officials in violation of tenure laws.

We are demanding the immediate dismissal and prosecution of officials credibly accused of corruption.

II. Economic Mismanagement and Social Decline

            •           Deepening poverty and economic hardship.

            •           Health sector collapse and public education abandonment.

            •           Failure to reduce elite privileges or increase low-income wages.

We are demanding audits and renegotiation of exploitative concessions.

III. Security, Police Brutality & Human Rights Abuses

            •           Security forces continue to engage in arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and alleged acts of torture, in direct violation of national and international human rights standards.

            •           There is a troubling pattern of widespread police brutality targeting civilians, including individuals participating in peaceful protests.

            •           Market women, street vendors, motorcyclists, and petty traders face ongoing harassment and intimidation, further marginalizing vulnerable economic groups.

            •           Kehkeh (tricycle) and motorbike operators are subjected to unfair restrictions that hinder their freedom of movement and economic survival.

In light of these persistent abuses, we are demanding the immediate dismissal and prosecution of all senior security officials credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights. We are also demanding the immediate lifting of all restrictions placed on Kehkeh and motorbike operators.

IV. Weaponization of the Judiciary

* Increasing manipulation of the courts to suppress dissent, intimidate critical or opposition voices, and protect politically influential individuals from accountability.

* The President’s refusal to abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling that invalidated all actions taken by the majority bloc in the unlawful removal of former Speaker Fonati Koffa—an egregious disregard for judicial authority that severely undermines the separation of powers.

We are demanding full judicial independence, unwavering respect for court rulings, and urgent reform to restore public trust in the judiciary.

V. Land Rights and Property Injustice

            •           Selective and unlawful demolitions must be stopped.

            •           Land grabs targeting the vulnerable must be halted.

We are demanding urgent land reform and protection for community ownership.

VI. Political Accountability and Democratic Renewal

            •           Gross failure to fulfill campaign promises.

We are demanding constitutional amendments allowing citizens to recall nonperforming officials.

VII. Unlawful Abduction of Mr. Ibrahim Khalil Cherif — A Breach of Justice

We are deeply alarmed by the illegal abduction and forced transfer of Mr. Ibrahim Khalil Cherif to Guinea, despite a court-ordered release from Monrovia Central Prison. This covert and unlawful act—allegedly executed by Guinean agents with assistance from Liberian security forces—violates Articles 21(h) and 13 of Liberia’s Constitution and breaches the ICCPR’s guarantees of due process and fair trial.

We are demanding Mr. Cherif’s immediate return, public disclosure of all involved, and full accountability for this grave violation of justice.

Security, Safety, and Responsibility

We hereby caution the Ministry of Justice against sanctioning or encouraging any form of counter-political or disruptive activity during the scheduled protest period. The growing trend of police violence, harassment by state-sponsored thugs, and unlawful interference must not be tolerated. Any action that jeopardizes the safety of our members—who have been persistently targeted—will be viewed as a breach of the state’s responsibility to protect its citizens.

While we remain deeply committed to the peaceful and nonviolent conduct of this protest, we hold the Boakai-led administration fully accountable for any acts of aggression, brutality, or human rights violations that may occur during the July 15–17 period due to governmental inaction or interference.

Concluding, the protest organizers said the following:

We respectfully urge your Ministry to:

            •           Acknowledge this notification as required by law;

            •           Instruct law enforcement to guarantee the safety and rights of protesters;

            •           Deny request or notification for any counter-protest or activities that may threaten public peace during the period of our programs.

This protest is an act of patriotic expression, a constitutionally enshrined right, and a democratic necessity. Liberia’s history will remember not only those who protested injustice, but also those who denied them space to speak.

The letter was copied to all Diplomatic Missions Accredited near Monrovia; Interreligious Council of Liberia, National Traditional Council, United Nations Office in Liberia, ECOWAS Office in Liberia, and African Union Mission in Liberia.

Others copied were the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Liberia), Liberia Council of Churches, Muslim Council of Liberia, the Press Union of Liberia, and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR)