Monrovia, Liberia – Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf has threatened to dismiss any local government official or traditional leader involved with handling cases related to rape.

Minister Sirleaf described rape as a serious human right violation that must be handled only by the courts and not local officials.

A release issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs Thursday says Minister Sirleaf has already sent out a circular to that effect.

The circular ordered County Superintendents to thoroughly monitor and report any local government official and traditional leader found in violation of the mandate.

The Internal Affairs Minister is also encouraging Community dwellers, civil society and community based organizations to report local and traditional leaders found interfering with rape cases.