Mandate of the Commission

 The INCHR was created in 2005 by an Act of Legislature as a vital national institution to promote and protect human rights. Although created in 2005, the Commission did not become operational until 2010.

 Functions and Powers of the Commission

 The mandate and functions of the INCHR is to promote and protect human rights

The Act in Article III (2) further stipulates that human rights include rights contained in “ any agreement, treaty or convention to which Liberia, is a party”. This is a generous definition that confers on the commission a broad scope of authority and sources to realize its mandate.

Specifically, under the Act (of 2005), the Commission can:

Inquire or investigate a complaint of violations by a victim or a complaint presented on behalf of a victim.

The Commission is also empowered in pursuit of investigations of human rights violations to conduct hearings in accordance with due processes of law.  The Commission is competent to issue orders after an inquiry. The Commission exercises some level of quasi -judicial powers.

May investigate complaints brought to it under the Act, it shall exercise the powers of a civil court trying a case under rules of civil procedure as obtained in the country. In that regard, it shall have the powers of subpoena to bring accused persons before it, in case a person refuses to appear before it, it may apply to the circuit court for a writ of arrest or compel such a person to appear before it.

The Commission could also issue summons enforce attendance; witnesses examined on oath; production of documents, taking evidence on affidavit and others; enter any building or place where the Commission has reasons to believe that there may be relevant evidence. 

In addition, the Commission could recommend cases to the appropriate state authority for prosecution or also seek an amicable settlement subject to the

The Core Principles of INCHR are:

OUR PERFORMANCE

• Professionalism: In all aspects of our work, we are committed to pursuing the highest standards in Human Rights protection, monitoring, investigation, education, advocacy and training.
• We are to set examples for adherence to the policies we formulate. We shall not condone any malpractices by any member of our institution. Violations of the governance principles we formulate will not be tolerated and will lead to termination.

OUR PEOPLE

• Commitment & Integrity: We uphold high moral and ethical integrity in investigating and monitoring human rights abuses and violations. We refrain from seeking, offering or accepting gifts, favors or any other inducements, financial or otherwise, for performance of our professional duties. We are committed to being effective agents of change in the human rights landscape of Liberia.
• We seek to promote AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PREVENTS ALL FORMS OF HUMAN EXPLOITATION.

As a Human Rights Institution, we abhor and discourage all forms of SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE:

MEN& WOMEN:

These behaviors are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Where such a pattern of behavior is identified, those involved will be separated from INCHR;

• SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH CHILDREN (persons under the age of 18): regardless of the local age of majority or age of consent is NOT ACCEPTABLE. A mistaken belief that a person is not a child is not an excuse;
• EXCHANGE OF MONEY, EMPLOYMENT, GOODS, AND/OR SERVICES: These include sexual favors or forms of humiliation, degradation, or exploitative behavior for assistance that is due, (including the payment of an incentive to employees of INCHR, partner organizations, and direct or indirect beneficiaries of INCHR assistance), is also UNACCEPTABLE;

OUR PROCESSES

• Partnership-Building: We embrace partnerships in the promotion of protection, monitoring, investigation, advocacy, education and training processes in protecting human rights.

• Accountability and Transparency: We shall be accountable and transparent to the public, our partners and to our clients.