Monrovia, March 28 -- The Rights Defenders of Liberia (RIDEL) has strongly condemned the violent response by the Liberia National Police (LNP) to a peaceful student protest in Monrovia on March 27.

By: Patience M. Jones, contributing writer

The protest, which called for improved educational standards, was met with excessive force, including the deployment of tear gas and the violent arrest of several students.

RIDEL described the actions of the police as a direct violation of the students' constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, as guaranteed under Liberia's 1986 Constitution.

The organization also criticized the government for using force against students advocating for their right to quality education, an issue...