HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WELCOMES ELECTION OF FIRST WOMAN HEAD OF STATE IN AFRICA

23 November 2005


Calls on New Administration to Include Legal and Judicial Reform and Strengthening
of Truth and Human Rights Commissions Among Immediate Priorities

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour conveyed her congratulations to Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf today on her election as President of Liberia, which makes her the first elected woman head of State in Africa.

Speaking after the announcement today of the final results of Liberia’s presidential elections, the High Commissioner said congratulations were also due to the Liberian people and the National Elections Commission for a national plebiscite that was determined by independent observers to meet international standards.

“After decades of widespread human rights abuses, this free expression of the people’s will is a real cause for celebration”, she said.

The High Commissioner said she hoped this historic achievement would galvanize Governments and women’s organizations to strive ever harder to guarantee equal enjoyment of human rights by women and men across the continent.

She urged the country’s political and community leaders of Liberia to work to ensure an end to impunity and usher in a new era of peace and democracy for all citizens.

The High Commissioner also called on the new administration to include legal and judicial reform, as well as the strengthening of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Independent National Human Rights Commission, among its immediate priorities.