A high-power delegation on transitional justice is currently in the Country as guests to the office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
The delegation as part of their visit will also meet with advocacy groups as well as Judiciary actors of the Country.
Amongst other things , the fourteen Members delegation to the Country is in Liberia for a further assessment and engagement to derive a way forward in establishing a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.
Already, the high profile delegation has held talks with the Executive Director for the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) on collaboration and support to the Office in executing its mandate.
Briefing the delegation on Monday, January 20, 2025, Dr. Jallah Barbu head of the office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia described the delegation’s visit as a significant milestone in Liberia’s ongoing journey toward justice, accountability, and reconciliation.
Speaking further , Cllr. Barbu named the involvement of multinational and local organizations, including donor countries, the Independent National Human Rights Commission, Civil society organizations and the greater spectrum of the Liberian society that have all expressed their support to the establishment of the court.
Dr. Barbu told the delegation that the reception of these stakeholders has set the pace for further consultations leading to the court’s embellishment.
He further told the delegation that the Office is working with the Liberian National Bar Association and the Law Reform Commission to clear out legal glitches that could hamper the establishment of a hybrid court.
With the involvement of these multi-stakeholders and their collaboration, according to the OWECC-L Executive Director, there should be a War Crimes Court and an Anti-Corruption Court before the end of the administration of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
He believes that engaging members of the delegation is further reaffirming the Office’s dedication to addressing the scar of war and economic crimes in a transparent, inclusive, and constructive manner and, at the same time, upholding international standards of justice.
Speaking earlier, head of the delegation and advisor at the Center for Justice and Accountability Katherine Southwick said they were particularly in the country for further assessment on the capacity and challenges of the OWECC-L in overseeing the establishment of a special court to prosecute individuals accused of human rights abuse and crimes against humanity and where the CJA can assist in achieving this mandate.
Madam Southwick also acknowledged the funding gap to support the Office but encouraged the executive director to keep his engagements, as funding for such initiatives is sometimes slow or not raised at all, but a well-designed outreach activities can produce good results.
The delegation welcomed the approach by the OWECC-L to engage with Victims Protection Advocacy Groups and prioritizing witness protection as key to fair trial encouragement to individuals to come up to testify without intimidation and harassment.
Meanwhile, The delegation is expected to be in the country until 25 January 2025, during which time they will meet with Liberian judicial actors and advocacy groups in Liberia.
