March 20, 2003 

Asumana Jabateh-Randolph

When President Charles Taylor jailed journalist Hassan Bility and others in Liberia, the Liberian Mandingo Association of New York (LIMANY) joined other Liberian organizations from across the US in standing resolute that the detainees had to be released unconditionally. Under the leadership of the National Civil Rights Movement, we had a successful peaceful demonstration last October in Washington, DC. It is clear that our collective effort was not in vain. Hassan Bility is a free man. The other falsely accused people, still being held hostage and tortured by the Liberian president’s security forces, will not be forgotten by LIMANY. Again, the plight of these innocent Liberians must not be forgotten.

We have been informed of the severity of the torture and abuses against these innocent Liberian citizens. One prisoner, Mohammed Dukuly, is likely to loose his eyesight if nothing is done. The conditions of Aloysius Toe and the rest of the detainees continue to deteriorate by the minute and some are at the point of death. Mr. Toe was arrested because he organized a march to release Hassan Bility. Mr. Ansumana Kamara and Mr. Mohammed Komana were arrested because they visited Mr. Bility. Mr. Ansumana Kamara is 68 years old man who is being held by Taylor in a dehumanizing condition. Reports coming out of several security quarters reveal that the elder Mr. Kamara is being moved from prison to prison and may be loosing his leg and that Mr. Bangalee Sheriff is being fed urine by Taylor’s guards.

We have also learned that harassment and false arrest of our Mandingo brothers and sisters have increased. 95% of those in Taylor’s prison are Mandingoes. Free movement of Mandingo families has been banned in rural Liberia and many have been deprived of leaving the country. The see-saw battle between the Taylor led government and LURD continues to dislodge our people and subjecting them to all kind of sadistic conditions. Forced conscription and raping of children continue – things that are horrific when done to anyone are made even more brutal by their age.

LIMANY joins with other Liberians in condemning in the strongest degree the lawless behavior of the Liberian Government against helpless citizens. It is a crime and violates basic human rights to hold people hostage and continue to abuse and torture them. It is hypocritical and a severe travesty of justice when the one breaking the law is the one who is sworn to protect the very same law as president. LIMANY and other organizations implore Mr. Taylor and his ruthless security forces to respect the laws of Liberia and the rights of all humans by releasing the prisoners unconditionally.

LIMANY will continue to study the situation and work with other organizations to create awareness to the plights of these peaceful Liberians. We met with the National Civil Rights Movement on Sunday, March 16 and the prisoners’ situation was discussed. This was followed by two different tele-conferences and we planned to meet other community leaders. LIMANY will continue to support any non-violent action such as demonstrations and letter writing campaigns to let the world know that Taylor continues to abuse the innocent citizens of Liberia. We intend to pressure Taylor’s brutal government until Mr. Aloysius Toe, Mr. Kamara, Mr. Komara, Mr. Sheriff, and others are released.

We are asking that you please take a day or two off from work in solidarity with Liberians across the world to seek the release of these Liberians in a coordinated day of solidarity organized by the National Civil Rights Movement. The dates will be announced soon.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Best regards,

Asumana Jabateh-Randolph
President

DEMONSTRATION 2003