DOCSLIB.ORG

Shadow Colony: Refugees and the Pursuit of the Liberian

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Shadow Colony: Refugees and the Pursuit of the Liberian © COPYRIGHT by Micah M. Trapp 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED SHADOW COLONY: REFUGEES AND THE PURSUIT OF THE LIBERIAN- AMERICAN DREAM BY Micah M. Trapp ABSTRACT This dissertation is about the people living at the Buduburam Liberian refugee camp in Ghana and how they navigate their position within a social hierarchy that is negotiated on a global terrain. The lives of refugees living in Ghana are constituted through vast and complex social relations that span across the camp, Ghana, West Africa and nations further afield such as the United States, Canada and Australia. The conditions under which these relations have developed and continue to unfold are mediated by structural forces of nation-state policies, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the international governing body for refugees, and the global political economy. Situated within the broader politics of protracted refugee situations and the question of why people stay in long-term camps, this research is a case study of one refugee camp and how its people access resources, build livelihoods and struggle with power. In particular, this dissertation uses concepts of the Liberian-American dream and the shadow colony to explore the historic and contemporary terms and circumstances ii through which Liberian refugees experience and evaluate migratory prospects and restrictions. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The production of this dissertation has been an outcome of many places and people. In Washington, DC my committee members, Dolores Koenig, Geoffry Burkhart, and David Vine have provided patient support and provocative feedback throughout the entire process. Thank you for asking the right questions and reading so many pages. This research would not have been possible without the generous financial support of two research grants: the National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant (Award ID 0850719) and the American University College of Arts and Sciences Dissertation Fellowship. The National Science Foundation and American University College of Arts and Sciences are not responsible for the conclusions I present. At the Buduburam camp, Kecelia, Tatee, Richmond, Obed and Mercy alongside many others, opened their homes and lives to me. This research would not have been possible without your countless hours of support, encouragement and friendship. In between Buduburam and Washington, DC, Dr. Daniel Gallego provided me access to two valuable research resources: a research permit and limitless discussions. Your experience at the camp, friendship and willingness to have a little bit of fun is deeply appreciated. Over countless home-made lunches, Jennie Simpson kept me on track and made the writing process possible. Thank you for being a tremendous motivation. From far and near, Seraphima Rombe-Shulman offered support that only the most genuine friend and iv intellect can do. Inside the classroom, I would like to thank Audrey Cooper and other members of the dissertation seminar for providing careful and thoughtful feedback. Rachel Voss provided invaluable support over tedious hours at the computer, tracking the finest details of survey data in an Access database. In the dance studio, Nancy Havlik and the Dance Performance Group – Ken Manheimer, Darrell Duane, Beth Cooper, Shoshanna Sumka, Annetta Dexter Sawyer, Shaun English, Daniel Barbiero and Steve Hilmy – offered me a creative space to move through the frustrations and rewards of the writing process. Your friendship, dancing, music, collaboration and even technical support have been tremendous. At the bakery, my co-workers offered endless laughs and encouragement in the 11th hour of this project. My gratitude to my family extends all across the Midwest. Erin, thank you for your informal and wise advising, and for your beautiful, funny daughter. Dad and Mark, the map you so painstakingly created opened my eyes to a new world. Mom, the afternoon spent in the Indianapolis airport was a turning point in the final phase of this work. Thank you. To my brothers – Chris, Mark, Steven and Daniel – your endless acceptance of all my endeavors and sudden departures for far off places is tremendous. Thank you to everyone at the Farm for offering support and respite in so many ways over the past years. Roman, you have been a true friend and partner. This whole process would not have been possible without your openness to long periods of time apart and uneasy conditions. Thank you for coming along to see what this whole thing was about. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... xii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ....................................................................................... xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................ xv Chapter 1. POWER AND MEANING: BEYOND REFUGEE AGENCY AND SOLUTIONS ....1 The Creation of a Problem .........................................................................................4 Solutions? ..............................................................................................................6 Scope of Research......................................................................................................9 Studying Refugees: Victimization, Agency and Power ............................................. 12 Who are Refugees? .............................................................................................. 13 Refugees and the International Refugee Regime................................................... 16 Theories of Power .................................................................................................... 19 Postcolonialism .................................................................................................... 21 Transnationalism and Access to Resources .............................................................. 25 Diaspora .............................................................................................................. 28 vi Power and Resources: Social Networks and Remittances ..................................... 31 Social Mobility: Hope and the American-Dream .................................................. 38 Research Focus and Chapter Overview .................................................................... 41 2. LIBERIA AND THE UNITED STATES: TRACING AN AMBIGUOUS COLONIAL HISTORY ..................................................................................................................... 45 Ideas, Ideology, Power and History .......................................................................... 48 West African Grain Coast ........................................................................................ 55 People and Social Institutions .............................................................................. 55 Trade on the Grain Coast ..................................................................................... 57 Colonization ............................................................................................................ 59 African-American Emigrants ............................................................................... 60 The American Colonization Society ..................................................................... 61 Shifting Racist Ideas to Ideologies of Humanitarianism and Salvation.................. 63 Mission of Inquiry ............................................................................................... 65 The Establishment of Monrovia ........................................................................... 68 Arriving in West Africa, Uncovering a False Report ............................................ 68 Opposition and Failed Ideology ........................................................................... 69 Politics of Exclusion ................................................................................................ 72 Imperial Struggle ................................................................................................. 72 White Colonists, Black Settlers: the Push for Nationhood .................................... 73 Black Settlers, Africans: An Ideology of “Civilization” ........................................ 76 vii Institutions of Social Mobility and Exclusion ....................................................... 78 A New Nation .......................................................................................................... 79 Post Independence ............................................................................................... 79 Building a “National Organism”: Territorial Struggle and Indirect Rule ............... 80 The US Tightens its Grip on Liberia..................................................................... 85 Competing Nationalisms: Garvey, President C.D.B. King & W.E.B DuBois ........ 86 Firestone – 1926 Loan .......................................................................................... 87 League of Nations Investigation ........................................................................... 89 World War II – Further Exploits .......................................................................... 92 True Whig
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Study of Ghanaian Kindergarten Teachers' Use of Bilingual and Translanguaging Practices Joyce Esi Bronteng University of South Florida, [email protected]
    University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School June 2018 A Study of Ghanaian Kindergarten Teachers' Use of Bilingual and Translanguaging Practices Joyce Esi Bronteng University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, and the Pre- Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education Commons Scholar Commons Citation Bronteng, Joyce Esi, "A Study of Ghanaian Kindergarten Teachers' Use of Bilingual and Translanguaging Practices" (2018). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7668 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Study of Ghanaian Kindergarten Teachers’ Use of Bilingual and Translanguaging Practices by Joyce Esi Bronteng A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education Department of Teaching and Learning College of Education University of South Florida Major Professor: Ilene Berson, Ph.D. Michael Berson, Ph.D. Sophia Han, Ph.D. Lisa Lopez, Ph.D. Date of Approval: April 25, 2018 Keywords: Bilingual Education, Classroom Displays, Iconic Signs, Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Medium of Instruction, Paralanguage, Symbolic Sign, Translanguaging Copyright © 2018, Joyce Esi Bronteng DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the following: My late grandparents Papa Ekow Gyan and Maame Bɔlɔ Twema (a.k.a.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Endangered Languages of Ghana
    American Journal of Linguistics 2012, 1(2): 10-18 DOI: 10.5923/j.linguistics.20120102.01 Some Endangered Languages of Ghana Jonas N. Akpanglo-Narte y1,*, Rebecca A. Akpanglo-Narte y2 1Office of the Vice-President (Academic), Regent University College of Science & Technology, Accra, Ghana 2Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana Abstract The phenomenon of language endangerment and, ultimately, language loss is considered in regard to indigenous Ghanaian languages. It is established that two languages, namely, Ghanaian English (GhE) and Akan, especially the Twi dialect, and to a small degree, Ewe, are slowly killing off the smaller Ghanaian languages. For instance, in 1970 almost all Winneba natives spoke Efutu (Ewutu) as their first language. By 2010, 40 years later, only approximately 50% of children born to the Winneba natives speak Efutu as a first language. About 30% of these children speak no Efutu at all. Interestingly, medium-sized languages such as Ga, Dangme and Nzema are also slowly losing grounds to the three languages cited. Meanwhile there are some dozen Ghanaian languages that have less than 1000 estimated speakers each but which have held their own for a century. It is concluded that the closer a language community is to the major urban centers, the more likely it is to be endangered. It is further concluded that the language policy of the Ghana Government is contributing to the loss of Ghanaian languages. Ke ywo rds Endangered, Languages, Language Loss, Ghana, Ghanaian, Ga, Dangme, GaDangme the world’s top 10, namely, Standard Chinese, English, 1. Introduction Spanish, Bengali, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, and German.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria-Singapore Relations Seven-Point Agenda Nigerian Economy Update Nigerian Economy: Attracting Investments 2008
    Nigeria-Singapore Relations Seven-point Agenda Nigerian Economy Update Nigerian Economy: Attracting Investments 2008 A SPECIAL PUBLICATION BY THE HIGH COMMISSION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA IN SINGAPORE s/LAM!DSXMM PDF0- C M Y CM MY CY CMY The Brand Behind The Brands K Integrated from farm to factory gate Managing Risk at Every Stage ORIGIN CUSTOMER Farming Origination Logistics Processing Marketing Trading & Solutions Distribution & Services The Global Supply Chain Leader Olam is a We manage each activity in the supply to create value, at every level, for our leading global supply chain manager of chain from origination to processing, customers, shareholders and employees agricultural products and food ingredients. logistics, marketing and distribution. We alike. We will continue to pursue profitable Our distinctive position is based both on therefore offer an end-to-end supply chain growth because, at Olam, we believe the strength of our origination capability solution to our customers. Our complete creating value is our business. and our strong presence in the destination integration allows us to add value and markets worldwide. We operate an manage risk along the entire supply chain integrated supply chain for 16 products in from the farm gate in the origins to our 56 countries, sourcing from over 40 origins customer’s factory gate. and supplying to more than 6,500 customers U OriginÊÊÊUÊMarketing Office in over 60 destination markets. We are We are committed to supporting the suppliers to many of the world’s most community and protecting the environment Our Businesses: Cashew, Other Edible Nuts, i>Ã]Ê-iÃ>i]Ê-«ViÃÊUÊ V>]Ê vvii]Ê- i>ÕÌÃÊ prominent brands and have a reputation in every country in which we operate.
    [Show full text]
  • Liberia Mission Review
    Peacekeeping_3.final.qxd 1/28/08 10:04 AM Page 57 3.13.4 Liberia Liberia has made substantial political progress toward sustained recovery since the election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf—the first elected female president in Africa—in 2005. The Johnson-Sirleaf government has taken steps toward improving the fragile security situation and revamping the country’s socioe- conomic fabric, which was destroyed during the nearly fourteen-year brutal civil conflict. However, while the country remained stable throughout 2007, a high unemployment rate, especially among youths, and the slow process of developing professional security forces, persist as major security concerns. Throughout the year in review, the UN Mis- sion in Liberia (UNMIL) remained deployed and continued its support of the government’s peace consolidation efforts. In August 2007, noting the “great strides in consolidating peace and promoting eco- UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) nomic recovery” in Liberia, the UN Secre- tary-General recommended a gradual, three- phase drawdown of its military forces in the • Authorization and 19 September 2003 (UNSC Res. 1509) Start Date country.1 The Security Council passed Reso- • SRSG and Ellen Margrethe Løj (Denmark) lution 1777 (2007) shortly after the Secretary- Head of Mission General’s report, approving the first phase of • Force Commander Lieutenant-General Chikadibia Isaac the drawdown, and granting a one-year exten- Obiakor (Nigeria) sion to UNMIL. The first phase of the draw- • Police Commissioner Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan (Ghana) down, which began in October 2007 and will • Budget $688.4 million (1 July 2007–30 June 2008) run through September 2008, will see the de- • Strength as of Troops: 13,322 parture of 2,450 troops.
    [Show full text]
  • The Teaching and Learning of the English Language in Ghana: Problems and Implications
    Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-5, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in The Teaching and Learning of the English Language in Ghana: Problems and Implications Asangba Reginald Taluah Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Education, Winneba, College of Agriculture Education P. O. Box 40, Ashanti Mampong Abstract : The teaching and learning of the English has grown to serve as the national and official language in Ghana and Anglophone countries in language of the country. The assertion that Ghana has Africa for that matter has been a subject of a wide variety of languages and dialects for that unflinching debate in quite recent times. Many matter is no news. Throughout the African continent, opinions point to the assertion that the teaching and many languages abound; thus crediting Africa as the learning of the English language is centered on continent with the most languages in the world reading comprehension, summary, grammar, spelling [Naden, 1998]. Adika [2012] summarizes the growth and writing skills and other such related areas to the of the English language from its early stages in the disregard of oral communication skills. Many 16th century to the present time and examines the researchers have found the neglect of oral debates that follow in relation to its use in the communication skills in the school curriculum as the educational sectors. major problem in the leaning of the English language. A survey of trends in the teaching and In the quite recent past, many debates have learning of the English language however reveals arisen on the need for African countries to adopt an that the contention is much on the teaching of the indigenous language as their official as well as their English language as compared to its learning as national language.
    [Show full text]
  • March, 2016. Editor: John Birchall
    The Journal of Sierra Leone Studies – March, 2016. Editor: John Birchall Welcome to The Journal of Sierra Leone Studies. This is the first Journal dedicated solely to Sierra Leone to have been published for a long time. We hope that it will be of use to academics, students and anyone with an interest in what for many is a rather ‘special’ country. The Journal will not concentrate on one area of academic study and invites contributions from anyone researching and writing on Sierra Leone to send their articles to: John Birchall for consideration. Prospective contributions should be between 3500-5000 words in length, though we will in special circumstances consider longer articles and authors can select whether they wish to be peer reviewed or not. Articles should not have appeared in any other published form before. The Editorial Board reserves the right to suggest changes they consider are needed to the relevant author (s) and to not publish if such recommendations are ignored. We are particularly interested to encourage students working on subjects specifically relating to Sierra Leone to submit their work. Thank you so much for visiting The Journal and we hope that you (a) find it both interesting and of use to you and (b) that you will inform colleagues, friends and students of the existence of a Journal dedicated to the study of Sierra Leone. Editorial Board: Professor Arthur Abraham, Virginia State University, Peter Andersen, Abdul Bangura, Howard University, Saidu Bangura, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, John Birchall, Professor Tucker Childs, University of Portland, Ade Daramy, Nigel Davies, Queen Mary’s College ,University of London, Lisa Denney, Overseas Development Institute, London, Melbourne Garber, Lansana Gberie, Dave Harris, Bradford University, Professor Adam Jones, University of Leipzig, Gary Schulze, Joko Sengova, John Trotman., Professor Alfred Zak- Williams, University of Central Lancashire, Joe A.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview Print Page Close Window
    World Directory of Minorities Africa MRG Directory –> Liberia –> Liberia Overview Print Page Close Window Liberia Overview Environment Peoples History Governance Current state of minorities and indigenous peoples Environment The Republic of Liberia is located on the Atlantic Coast of West Africa and is bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire. Liberia has a 560-kilometre coastline and mountains in the north and east. The country contains vast timber reserves and substantial deposits of iron ore, gold and diamonds. Peoples Main language groups: English 20% (official), Bassa, Kru (Klao), Kpelle, Gola, Loma, Mann Main religions: traditional religions (40%), Christianity, often mixed with traditional beliefs (40%), Islam (20%) Main minority groups: Kpelle 487,400 (15.2%), Bassa 347,600 (10.9%), Gio (Dan) 150-200,000 (4.7- 6.3%), Kru (Klao) 184,000 (5.8%), Grebo 222,000 (6.9%), Mano 185,000 (5.8%), Americo- Liberians/Congo People 160,000 (5%), Loma 141,800 (4.4%), Krahn 126,400 (4.0%), Kissi 115,000 (3.6%), Gbandi 100,000 (3.1%), Gola 99,300 (3.1%), Vai 89,500 (2.8%), Mandingo 45,400 (1.4%), Mende 19,700 (0.6%), Kuwaa 12,800 (0.4%), and Dei 8,100 (0.3%) [Note: Percentages for religions are taken from the 2007 US CIRF report. Total population est of 3.2 million is taken from the 2007 CIA World Factbook, as is the estimate for English speakers and total for Americo-Liberians/Congo People. For most ethnic groups, figures are taken from Ethnologue numbers stemming from various years: Kpelle (1991), Bassa (1991), Gio (1993), Kru (1991), Grebo (1991 for two sub-groups, 1999 for two others, and 2000 for a fifth), Mano (1995), Loma (1991), Krahn (1991) Gola (1991), Mandingo (1991), Kissi (1995), Vai (1991), Gbandi (2001), Mende (1991), Kuwaa (1991), Dei (1991).] The forest belt in West Africa that covers large swathes of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria has always been populated by a large number of ethnic groups.
    [Show full text]
  • Boayue, Nuhn Monique an Exploration of the Challenges of Access and Retention Reintegrating Former Refugee and Internally Displa
    Running head: AN EXPLORATION OF THE CHALLENGES OF ACCESS AND RETENTION Boayue, Nuhn Monique An Exploration of the Challenges of Access and Retention Reintegrating Former Refugee and Internally Displaced Girls into Secondary School in Post-conflict Liberia Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Multicultural and International Education (MIE) Spring 2014 Master in Multicultural and International Education Faculty of Education and International Studies Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences AN EXPLORATION OF THE CHALLENGES OF ACCESS AND RETENTION i Map of Liberia The three countries that have direct borders with Liberia are as follow: La Cote d’Ivoire is located in the east near Zwedru, the site of the study Guinea, Conakry is located north of Liberia Sierra Leone is located in the west i AN EXPLORATION OF THE CHALLENGES OF ACCESS AND RETENTION ii Table of Contents Map of Liberia………………………………………..……………….………………………….i Table of contents………………………………………………………………………………....ii Acknowledgements……………………………………………..………………………………vii Abstract………………………………………………………………………..…………….…viii Acronyms and abbreviations………………………………………….………………………...x Chapter 1: Introduction of the study……………………….…………………....1 1.1 Overview of the study………………….……….………………….………………...……1 1.2 Education for All (EFA)……………………………………………………………..……2 1.3 Objective and research questions………………………………………………….………4 1.4 Justification of the study………………………………………………………………......4 1.5 Approach to the study……………………………………………….………………….....6 1.6 Structure
    [Show full text]
  • How Flags of Convenience Let Illegal Fishing Go Unpunished
    OFF THE HOOK How flags of convenience let illegal fishing go unpunished A report produced by the Environmental Justice Foundation 1 OUR MISSION EJF believes environmental security is a human right. The Environmental Justice Foundation EJF strives to: (EJF) is a UK-based environmental and • Protect the natural environment and the people and wildlife human rights charity registered in England that depend upon it by linking environmental security, human and Wales (1088128). rights and social need 1 Amwell Street • Create and implement solutions where they are needed most London, EC1R 1UL – training local people and communities who are directly United Kingdom affected to investigate, expose and combat environmental www.ejfoundation.org degradation and associated human rights abuses Comments on the report, requests for further copies or specific queries about • Provide training in the latest video technologies, research and EJF should be directed to: advocacy skills to document both the problems and solutions, [email protected] working through the media to create public and political platforms for constructive change This document should be cited as: EJF (2020) • Raise international awareness of the issues our partners are OFF THE HOOK - how flags of convenience let working locally to resolve illegal fishing go unpunished Our Oceans Campaign EJF’s Oceans Campaign aims to protect the marine environment, its biodiversity and the livelihoods dependent upon it. We are working to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to create full transparency and traceability within seafood supply chains and markets. We conduct detailed investigations into illegal, unsustainable and unethical practices and actively promote improvements to policy making, corporate governance and management of fisheries along with consumer activism and market-driven solutions.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Maritime Transport 2016 Review of Maritime Transport
    UNCTAD UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW OF MARITIME TRANSPORT For further information on UNCTAD’s work REVIEW on trade logistics, please visit: http://unctad.org/ttl OF MARITIME and for the TRANSPORT Review of Maritime Transport 2016: http://unctad.org/rmt E-mail: 2016 [email protected] To read more and to subscribe to the UNCTAD Transport Newsletter, please visit: http://unctad.org/transportnews 2016 UNITED NATIONS ISBN 978-92-1-112904-5 Layout and printed at United Nations, Geneva 1623510 (E)–November 2016 – 2,102 UNCTAD/RMT/2016 United Nations publication Sales No. E.16.II.D.7 : © Jan Hoffmann Photo credit UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW OF MARITIME TRANSPORT 2016 New York and Geneva, 2016 ii REVIEW OF MARITIME TRANSPORT 2016 NOTE The Review of Maritime Transport is a recurrent publication prepared by the UNCTAD secretariat since 1968 with the aim of fostering the transparency of maritime markets and analysing relevant developments. Any factual or editorial corrections that may prove necessary, based on comments made by Governments, will be reflected in a corrigendum to be issued subsequently. * * * Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Use of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. * * * The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • The Governance of Artisanal Fisheries in the Sherbro River Area of Sierra Leone
    The Governance of Artisanal Fisheries in the Sherbro River Area of Sierra Leone This project is funded by A report by The European Union Environmental Justice Foundation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY © EJF This report sets out the historic and existing governance arrangements for artisanal fishing in the Sherbro River Estuary (hereafter ‘the Estuary’), where fishing is vital to the livelihoods and food security of local communities. It uses research from 17 community visits and interviews of key stakeholders to analyse current and historic conditions at the levels of local communities, traditional authorities, local government and central government. Four key findings and recommendations are summarised below: 1. FINDING: After seven years of decentralisation, local councils are not perceived to be effective at fisheries management: The clearest consensus in the area of governance to arise during the community engagement process regarded the perceived ineffectiveness of local councils. Even within the councils themselves, there was widespread agreement that they did not currently have the capacity to assume their statutory duties in the area of fisheries management. More broadly, fishing communities across the Estuary did not identify closely with the councils or their elected representatives. RECOMMENDATION: For councils to become effective in the area of fisheries management, they must not only build technical capacity in the fisheries sector but also improve their overall legitimacy as representative and accountable democratic institutions. This can be done in part through increasing contact with elected officials and pooling the regulatory resources of the Estuary’s two councils. The Government and partner NGOs must address this as part of the development of an MPA and associated co-management bodies.
    [Show full text]
  • Liberia: a Human Rights Disaster
    October 26, 1990 Liberia: A Human Rights Disaster Violations of the Laws of War by All Parties to the Conflict TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION II. BACKGROUND TO THE CONFLICT III. VIOLATIONS OF THE LAWS OF ARMED CONFLICT • Violations of the Laws of Armed Conflict by the Insurgents A. Killings of Civilians B. Executions Committed by Prince Johnson C. Torture, Ill-treatment, and Executions of Detainees D. Conscription of Children E. The Taking of Hostages F. Rebel Killings of Fleeing Soldiers • Violations by the Liberian Army A. Killings of Civilians B. Torture, Inhumane Treatment, and Execution of Detainees C. Looting, Pillaging, and Abuse IV. THE HUMANITARIAN NEEDS OF THE REFUGEES A. Harassment of the Refugees B. Medical Care V. HUMANITARIAN NEEDS WITHIN LIBERIA VI. U.S. POLICY . Relief Assistance A. Liberian Refugees in the U.S. B. Travel Documents For Liberian Refugees in West Africa C. Increased Refugee Slots for Liberians D. Screening of Human Rights Abusers E. U.S. Pressure on Human Rights VII. THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY INTRODUCTION In the course of less than a year, Liberia has become a human rights disaster. Over half its population has been displaced from their homes, including over 500,000 who are refugees in West Africa. All parties to the conflict have committed grave abuses of human rights against civilians, violating the humanitarian standards governing non- international armed conflict. During a visit to the Côte d'Ivoire from September 11-19, Holly Burkhalter, Washington Director of Human Rights Watch, interviewed newly-arrived refugees in several Ivorian villages in the area of Tabou, as well as refugees who fled in July to the Ivorian department of Guiglo.1 The following report describes abuses by the Liberian Army, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), and the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) as reported by the eyewitnesses.
    [Show full text]