• Mission
We seek to promote the rights of torture victims and Liberians from all forms of authority perpetrated torture by advocating for legal and policy reforms, monitoring government adherence to human rights, rehabilitating victims of torture, and building the capacity of key stakeholders.
Organization Size
The present membership of ACAT-Liberia is eighteen (18)-Nine (9) permanent members and Nine (9) affiliate members/volunteers.
• Professional Character
The Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Liberia (ACAT-Liberia) is a network against torture and death penalty act on behalf of all those who are tortured, detained, held in inhumane condition, executed or missing regardless of origin, political opinion etc ACAT-Liberia also provide human rights and anti-torture and anti-death penalty education and conscious rural communities dwellers to take up actions, and offering prayers for prisoners, victims of torture as well as perpetrators. ACAT-Liberia gained its registration status in 2004 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Liberia
• ACAT Liberia History
The establishment of ACAT-Liberia in October 2003 was predicated upon the degeneration of human rights in Liberia and the increasing voices to the struggle of the respect for the basic rights, especially those of the detention sector( political and civil rights), the abolition of torture and gender violence.
Having heard of and had gathered information and authorization from the international body against torture the International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT) based in France, and its activities, we decided to organized a Liberian chapter thus bringing into existence the Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Liberia (ACAT-Liberia).While working and awaiting a full-fleshed affiliation with FIACAT, ACAT-Liberia has become a duly registered local NGO in Liberia under the laws of Liberia.
The structure of ACAT-Liberia, comprise of a board comprising registered members that meet semi-annually to formulate policies, review and approve plans and reports. The day-to-day activities of ACAT-Liberia are run by volunteered staff headed by an Executive Director.
There has being numerous successes in its activities since its establishment. ACAT-Liberia has worked collaboratively with local and international institutions sharing commonalities, Joined with the Prisoners Assistance Program (PAP) and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) in Denmark, ACAT-Liberia, in May 2004 jointly succeeded in the advocacy that had the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol ratified. In that same view, on June 26, ACAT-Liberia celebrated jointly the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. In its activities, ACAT-Liberia also play a major and significant role through advocacy in rescuing the life of a torture victim (Blama Massaquoi) from 2003- 2005 who is presently undergoing medication in Minneapolis USA.
In January 2004, ACAT-Liberia organized Liberia’s first observance of the “Christian Unity Week of Prayers.” During this week, over six Christian denominations gathered at the Revival Center International Church to fast and pray for victims of torture as well as torturers and were climaxed with daily revival nights.
ACAT-Liberia has being identifying with the condition of inmates at detention centers and have been working to release illegal detainees. In the protection of detainees, ACAT-Liberia visits detentions twice a month to have a regular assessment of inmates and detentions conditions in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties in rural Liberia. ACAT-Liberia engages in community empowerment; Advocacy; assistance/prayers and Monitoring and Documentation.
The membership of ACAT-Liberia is open to anyone who desires of becoming a member, declaring such and fulfilling the requirements including filling out a membership form, paying dues and attending meetings. At present, there are 12 active members of ACAT-Liberia.
The establishment of ACAT-Liberia in October 2003 was predicated upon the degeneration of human rights in Liberia and the increasing voices to the struggle of the respect for the basic rights, especially those of the detention sector( political and civil rights), the abolition of torture and gender violence.