July 17 Anti-Drug March Was Peaceful | News

The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) has declared that the July 17, 2026, anti-drug protest organized in Monrovia was largely peaceful and professionally conducted but has raised serious legal and security concerns over the reported disarmament of an alleged state security officer by protesters.

The Commission’s official monitoring report, released Monday, found no evidence of police misconduct, excessive use of force, injuries, or damage to public and private property during the demonstration.

However, the human rights watchdog said the alleged seizure of a firearm from a plain-clothes officer by protesters at the end of the march represents a potentially serious breach of Liberian law and could undermine public safety if not properly addressed.

The protest was organized by the civil society movement Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) to demand accountability, transparency, and justice following the reported seizure of narcotics valued at approximately US$19 million at the Roberts International Airport (RIA).

Presenting the findings to journalists at the Commission’s headquarters in Sinkor, INCHR Chairman Cllr. Mohammed Fahnbulleh said the Commission deployed independent observers along the protest route to assess compliance with human rights standards and constitutional guarantees.

According to the report, monitors observed that the demonstration proceeded peacefully, with security forces exercising restraint throughout the event.

“The demonstration was relatively peaceful,” the INCHR report stated. “INCHR monitors recorded zero incidents of police misconduct or excessive use of force; no reported injuries to civilians or security personnel, and no collateral damage to private or public property.”

Fahnbulleh praised both STAND organizers and the Liberia National Police (LNP) for maintaining discipline and allowing citizens to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

He said the conduct of both parties reflected respect for Article 17 of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to assemble and petition public authorities.

“The right to peaceful assembly is sacrosanct and must be protected,” Fahnbulleh said. “However, no citizen has the legal authority to disarm a security officer or seize and display a state weapon.”

According to the Commission, the demonstration began and continued without obstruction from security forces, consistent with Liberia’s domestic and international human rights obligations.

The INCHR said the major concern emerged after the formal conclusion of the demonstration.

The Commission reported that STAND Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu, during his closing remarks before protesters and live media, announced that demonstrators had disarmed an armed man in plain clothes who he identified as a Liberia National Police officer.

Morlu alleged that the individual had been deliberately placed among protesters to create confusion, provoke violence, and provide justification for a security crackdown.

Following the announcement, Morlu displayed what he claimed was the seized firearm during a live media broadcast.

However, the Liberia National Police disputed Morlu’s account.

According to INCHR, LNP Spokesperson Cecelia Sam Collins rejected claims that the officer was planted within the protest crowd, explaining that the individual was not assigned to the protest security detail but was an officer traveling to work who encountered the demonstration.

The Commission said when Collins was questioned further by its monitors at the scene, she indicated that she could not provide additional details because she was not physically present when the incident occurred.

The INCHR said the reported disarmament, if verified, could constitute multiple violations under Liberian law.

The Commission warned that civilians taking control of a law enforcement officer’s firearm could amount to illegal possession of a weapon, obstruction of law enforcement duties, and unauthorized assumption of police responsibilities.

It also cautioned that publicly displaying a state firearm through social media platforms could interfere with investigations and create unnecessary public tension.

“The seizure and public display of a state weapon, regardless of the circumstances, raises serious legal and security implications,” the Commission noted.

The report further disclosed that Liberia’s Inspector General of Police issued a public statement demanding the immediate return of the firearm.

However, the INCHR said the demand had not been fulfilled at the time of its monitoring.

Following the incident, STAND Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu was arrested and taken into police custody in connection with the matter.

The INCHR said it is closely monitoring the arrest to ensure that due process requirements are respected and that the rights of all parties are protected.

Chairman Fahnbulleh stressed that while citizens have the right to demand accountability from government institutions, security matters must be handled through lawful channels.

“Such actions, even if motivated by perceived security threats within a protest, must be reported to the appropriate command structure,” he said. “Self-help disarmament is unlawful and dangerous.”

The Commission said it will continue monitoring developments surrounding the case while working to ensure that Liberia’s fight against drug trafficking does not undermine citizens’ fundamental rights to peaceful protest.

The INCHR maintained that protecting public safety and defending constitutional freedoms must remain complementary objectives in Liberia’s democratic process.