Liberia’s SGBV Unit Director Calls for Rape Law Amendment Amid Overcrowding Concerns

By: Florence Flomo

Cllr. Isaac George, Director of Liberia’s Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
(SGBV) Crimes Unit, is calling for a critical review and possible amendment of
the nation’s rape law, citing its contribution to prolonged pre-trial detention
and overcrowding in correctional facilities.

According to Cllr. George, the stringent provisions of the 2006 Rape Law
have inadvertently led to a surge in the prison population. He noted that many
cases across the country involve what he described as consensual interactions
between the accused and the complainants, yet they are prosecuted under a law
that leaves little room for context or nuance.

Comparing the current law to its 1976 predecessor—which primarily addressed
cases involving force Cllr. George argued that the expanded legal definition of
rape now results in a larger number of prosecutions and detentions.

He highlighted the law’s minimum punishment of 10 years, with first-degree
rape carrying a life sentence, as a key factor in the growing backlog and
overcrowding in Liberia’s prisons.

Citing specific examples, Cllr. George pointed to cases where a 19-year-old
is accused of rape involving a 14-year-old partner, which under the 1976 law
would have been classified as “correction of minors” and carried a
lighter sentence. He also mentioned situations where complainants identified
the accused as their boyfriends, yet prosecution remains mandatory under
current legislation.

Cllr. George is urging lawmakers to consider amending the law to reclassify
offenses based on individual case circumstances. He warned that the continued
incarceration of young people for extended periods often before their cases are
adjudicated could have long-term consequences for Liberia’s youth, particularly
by limiting their access to education and rehabilitation.

His comments echo concerns raised by civil society organizations about
extended pre-trial detention and the erosion of the presumption of innocence.
These delays not only raise serious human rights concerns but also disrupt
lives impacting employment, mental health, and family structures while exposing
inefficiencies in the justice system that demand urgent reform.

Cllr. George emphasized the importance of thorough case scrutiny to ensure
fair application of the law. He called for a balanced approach to justice that
protects survivors while also preventing unintended harms caused by rigid legal
interpretations.

His appeal adds to ongoing national discourse on justice reform, urging
policymakers to consider how laws can uphold accountability without undermining
the future of Liberia’s youth.