Dr. Jallah Barbu announced that the bill for the War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia will be ready soon, with a focus on refining it with transitional justice experts. Civil society leaders emphasize the need for accountability for past atrocities, particularly at memorial events. A reparation trust fund has been discussed, but progress has been lacking, raising concerns about ongoing justice and healing efforts in Liberia.
Dr. Jallah Barbu, the executive director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts of Liberia, announced that a legislative bill for the establishment of courts will be finalized soon. A technical committee, consisting of transitional justice experts, is currently refining the bill initially submitted by the Liberian National Bar Association in 2021, which remains unapproved by the Legislature. Dr. Barbu emphasized the committee’s focus on revising the bill to reflect recent developments.
The forthcoming bill is crucial to the establishment of the courts, detailing aspects such as location, staffing, security, and operational frameworks. Although opposition to the courts persists among certain legislators, including former warlord Thomas Nimely Yaya, Dr. Barbu called on citizens to advocate for the quick passage of the bill once it is submitted. He projected that initial indictments could occur by 2027.
At a recent memorial event recognizing victims and survivors of massacres in Liberia, Dr. Barbu reassured attendees that accountability measures would not incite further violence but rather promote peace and unity within the country. He asserted the necessity of holding past perpetrators accountable while emphasizing the fairness of the law.
Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, a prominent human rights lawyer, expressed the importance of strengthening institutions to prevent unpunished crimes, arguing for a collective commitment to the rule of law. He reiterated a call for President Joseph Boakai to reassess the appointment of Mr. Lewis Brown as UN Ambassador, citing potential conflicts with upcoming court activities.
The memorial event served as a poignant reminder of the atrocities experienced during Liberia’s civil wars, particularly the Carter Camp massacre, where approximately 600 individuals were brutally killed in search of refuge. Speakers emphasized the need for justice and accountability to pave the way for genuine reconciliation in the nation.
Despite past court rulings seeking accountability, such as the 2022 US district court’s finding against Moses Thomas, no direct accountability has yet been established for the massacres. Prominent figures at the memorial concurred that peace cannot be attained without justice and highlighted the inadequacies in governmental responses to victims’ needs for reparations and memorialization.
To address the ongoing concerns about transitional justice in Liberia, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, the justice minister, previously pledged to create a reparation trust fund for conflict victims, although there has been no evident progress. Meanwhile, a committee was formed to address the exhumation and reburial of former leaders Samuel Doe and William Tolbert, but concerns were raised regarding the implications for evidence needed in future trials.
This article is part of a collaborative effort by New Narratives and is funded by the Swedish Embassy in Liberia, which did not influence the content of the report.
The upcoming establishment of War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia hinges on legislative approval of a revised bill currently under preparation. There remains significant public advocacy for accountability regarding past atrocities. At memorial events, prominent voices consistently call for justice, emphasizing the integral relationship between peace and accountability. Continued governmental commitments to reparations and memorialization remain critical for healing and justice in Liberia’s post-conflict society.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
