Out-going United States Ambassador Michael McCarthy has been awarded the 2023 Mark Palmer Prize by Freedom House for his commitment and leadership in transforming state institutions and promoting democratic values and principles.
Freedom House is a pro-democracy institution that is “founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people.”
In a statement issued on the institution’s website, the president of Freedom House, Michael J. Abramowitz said: “We are thrilled to honor Ambassador McCarthy with the Mark Palmer Prize… His dedication to promoting democracy and human rights and addressing corruption in Liberia and beyond is critically important to advancing a more just and equitable world.
Democracy and human rights will not advance without such vigorous support from individual diplomats.”
The Mark Palmer Prize, given in honor of the late US ambassador, Freedom House trustee, and foreign policy innovator Mark Palmer, recognizes diplomats and civil servants who have taken bold and creative steps, long demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of democracy and freedom, and gone beyond their normal course of duties to promote democracy and human rights.
“I am honored to accept this prestigious award, noting how impactful Ambassador Palmer’s legacy has advanced diplomacy, democracy, and human rights for countless communities around the world,” said Ambassador McCarthy.
“I believe rampant corruption is both an abuse of human rights and a threat to democracy. Fighting corruption is a foreign policy priority shared across the aisle and between our three branches of government. I am honored to accept this prestigious award, but I do so on behalf of the vast majority of Liberians who hold out for a future in which the scourge of corruption is defeated.”
Ambassador McCarthy has distinguished himself through his dedication to promoting a peaceful dialogue among diverse stakeholders in Liberia to advance a unified development agenda for the country after years of civil conflict, according to Freedom House in the statement.
Amb. McCarthy’s team, the institution noted, put the full force of the U.S. Government behind a coalition of domestic and international groups—holding frequent meetings with the National Elections Commission, civil society organizations, the Press Union of Liberia, religious and traditional leaders, opposition parties, and the current government—that helped to ensure the security and legitimacy of Liberia’s 2021 by-elections.
It added that Ambassador McCarthy has consistently called out high-profile Liberian businesses and elites over corrupt practices, abuse of public trust, and human rights abuses, and has helped ensure the imposition of Global Magnitsky sanctions on corrupt leaders.
He also called for the terms of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report to be adhered to, specifically the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia, and organized US ambassador for war crimes Beth van Schaak’s visit to the country, the institution added.
The award will be officially presented today, May 9 at Freedom House’s annual awards dinner.
Recent criticism about Liberia
In a statement issued late Monday, Mr. McCarthy during his recent trip to four rural counties he was “startled and deeply troubled” to encounter multiple county hospitals that received not one penny of what they were promised in the 2022 budget year. He further added that hospitals on which lives depend, where outbreaks are prevented and suffering is alleviated, did not receive any portion of the US$100,000 or more appropriated by the legislature for them to operate.
Referencing a recent media report with Tellowoyan Memorial Hospital in Lofa County, Amb. McCarthy further maintained that these facilities currently survive on the backs of incredibly dedicated health professionals, making do with whatever they can scrape together.
According to him the blocking of resources to health and other public facilities in is so complete that it must be institutional and the lack of any alarm being raised indicates a syndicate involving players at the legislature, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“In one town, administrators look with anticipation mixed with fear at the brand-new, modern hospital that sits vacant, knowing that they can barely keep the existing makeshift facility going, and running the new one will require ten times the resources”, Ambassador McCarthy adds.
U.S. gives millions to Liberia
The United States Embassy statement further maintain that the Government of United states is about to spend a total of over US$40 million constructing Liberia’s state-of-the-art National Reference Laboratory (NRL) that, when completed, will require US$3 million to US$4 million a year from the Government of Liberia to operate and if Government of Liberia is failing to deliver statutory appropriations of only US$100,000 to existing hospitals doubts that if the same administration would ever spent $3 mllion to $4 million for the future NRL.
