JPC AND FIND CELEBRATE WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY WITH SUAKOKO LEPROSY REHAB CENTER RESIDENTS

By Matalay Kollie

Suakoko, Bong County – The Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) and the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), two prominent human rights organizations in Bong County, marked World Human Rights Day and the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a day-long event at the Suakoko Leprosy Rehab Center.

The 16 Days of Activism, an international campaign running annually from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day), seeks to raise awareness about gender-based violence, promote human rights, and inspire action to end violence.

JPC’s Executive Director, George Phillip Mulbah, underscored the importance of engaging marginalized communities in discussions about their human rights. “This gathering allows us to understand the unique challenges faced by lepers at the center, enabling human rights advocates to better address their needs,” he said. The residents shared concerns about inadequate access to food, clothing, medicine, and basic infrastructure, including playable roads to the center.

These conditions, they noted, significantly hinder their quality of life. Madam Kpeni Mulbah, one of the residents, expressed her frustration. “We are suffering here because there’s no support from the government or our lawmakers. If it weren’t for Kwatekeh Africa and its leader Eric Hanson, things would be much worse for us.” During the event, FIND’s Executive Director, Aaron Juaquellie, educated participants on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, the UDHR remains a cornerstone of international human rights law, highlighting the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people. Participants at the event welcomed the awareness efforts, stating that the knowledge gained would empower them to advocate for their rights. John M. Kpolon, Project Coordinator of Kwatekeh Africa, lamented the lack of governmental and local support for the center. “Patients here are facing extreme hardships due to neglect from both the government and Bong County leadership,” Kpolon said.

 He appealed to President Joseph Boakai and the Bong County Legislative Caucus to extend assistance to the center. The Suakoko Leprosy Rehab Center is home to over 400 residents, including 18 active leprosy patients—six women and 12 men. As the 16 Days of Activism concludes, JPC and FIND’s engagement with the center highlights the need for sustained advocacy and action to address the rights and challenges of marginalized communities in Liberia. The organizations have called on stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of the center’s residents and ensure the principles of human dignity and equality are upheld.