A/HRC/7/3/Add.1 page 164 Para Country Date Type Mandate Allegations transmitted of a farmer and security guard who lives in the Po River area of Montserrado county, MIA officials were going to authorize a trial by ordeal to take place, until the Solicitor-General was seized of the matter and the case was transferred to the office of the county attorney in Monrovia. Judging by the description given by MIA personnel to UN personnel, the intended ceremony appeared to resemble a trial by ordeal in that there was a threat of serious harm as punishment, the procedure was arbitrary and it was to take place in the context of witchcraft or supernatural phenomena. It further appears that the farmer had been deemed to be guilty and the aim of the ceremony was not to determine guilt or innocence but was an attempt to prevent alleged future crimes. He was to take an oath and consume a substance that would punish him in the future if he broke that oath. The ceremony, which would not be permitted even under the Revised Rules and Regulations of the Hinterland, clearly violates the human rights guarantees contained in the Constitution and the international human rights treaties ratified or acceded to by Liberia. It is also reported that trial by ordeal that is of a “minor nature” and does not “endanger life” is permitted by Art. 73 of the Regulations. Article 2 of those Regulations provides that they are to be applied to “such areas as are wholly inhabited by uncivilized natives”. The discriminatory basis of the Regulations is a breach of human rights guarantees under the Constitution and international treaties, such as the International Government response