Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Just Checking

Trial by ordeal and ritual killings persist in Liberia and are undermining efforts to improve human rights in the wake of a 1989-2003 civil war, a UN report said on Thursday.

In such trials, persons accused of crimes are subjected to ordeals, such as swallowing a poisonous brew or enduring burning or pain, to determine their innocence or guilt.

Despite a crackdown by the Liberian government and the United Nations, rights groups say the practice remains popular in Liberia, especially in rural areas where the police, army and authorities are mistrusted because of rights abuses during the civil war, which killed some 200,000 people.

I just wanted to see if yesterday's post about the UN urging Liberians to give up their guns was still valid.

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