IPNEWS: The Concerned Citizens for the Protection of the Constitution, Democracy, and the Rule of Law has accused the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the National Security Agency (NSA) of gross human rights violations. The group is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Thomas Etheridge, Andrew Lawson, and others allegedly detained without charge.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the group condemned what it described as “unlawful arrests, inhumane detention, and brutal torture” perpetrated by state security forces under the Boakai-Koung administration.
“This is a heartbreaking day for our fragile republic,” the statement read. “The appalling treatment of Thomas Etheridge reveals a chilling reality: Liberia is descending into a police state.” The group alleged that Etheridge, arrested on December 18, 2024, near the Capitol Building, was subjected to waterboarding, physical abuse, and death threats by NSA officers to extract a false confession.
The group further claimed that these actions reflect a systemic effort by the administration to suppress dissent and intimidate critics. “It is a national disgrace that security forces funded by taxpayers’ money are being weaponized for political purposes,” the statement continued.
Etheridge is reportedly a victim of the December 18 incident, infamously referred to as “Bloody Tuesday,” during which multiple arrests were made amid political unrest at the Capitol. The Concerned Citizens group also alleged that NSA agents threatened Etheridge with death and public humiliation if he refused to confess to unspecified charges.
The group’s statement also addressed the detention of Andrew Lawson and other individuals, who they claim are being held without due process. “These Liberians are suffering without charge. Free them now!” the statement demanded.
Defending their chairman, Hon. Janjay Baikpeh, the group dismissed allegations against him as politically motivated fabrications. They argued that these accusations were either the result of coerced statements or baseless claims aimed at discrediting a “towering figure of justice and democracy.”
“We demand an impartial investigation into the state security officers stationed at the Capitol Building during the legislative impasse,” the statement said. The group accused the administration of using the unrest as a pretext to target political opponents while failing to investigate the actions of security forces involved.
The statement concluded with a call for solidarity among opposition leaders, civil society organizations, and international partners to address what they describe as an erosion of democracy in Liberia. “Today, it is Thomas Etheridge and others. Tomorrow, it could be any of us. Let us rise to defend the heart and soul of our motherland.”
The group also urged the Boakai-Koung administration to ensure immediate medical attention for Etheridge, citing the physical and psychological trauma he allegedly endured during detention. They called on international partners to intervene decisively to prevent further abuse of power.
