Major General Prince C. Johnson

LIBERIA: ARMED FORCES CHIEF OF STAFF WANTS DEATH PENALTY FOR RAPISTS

July 15, 2020:

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Major General Prince C. Johnson, on 11 July 2020 called for the introduction of a law seeking death penalty for rapists in the country, as rape and other sexual violence abuses against women and girls continue to escalate in Liberia.
General Johnson’s call comes barely a few days after an officer of the Liberia National Police (LNP) identified as one Emmanuel Wesley was accused of allegedly raping a 17-year-old at the depot.
Wesley, who has been reportedly disrobed from the LNP, is said to be on the run.
General Johnson maintained that though Liberia’s international partners would not be in favor of a death penalty for rapists, tougher actions must be taken to help end the menace against women and girls.
He made these comments when he represented the Joint Security of the Government of Liberia at the launch of an awareness campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), particularly rape, against women and girls in the country.
“The international community does not actually support this decision, but with the statistics we just heard, there is the need that we start to look whether we can revisit the issue of death penalty for rapists because this is getting serious”.
General Johnson continued: “I am saying we should revisit the issue of death penalty and see how best we can fast track this whole thing”.