Liberia’s Justice Minister Frank Musa made a deceptive assertion to the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 17 concerning the federal government’s alleged efforts to offer a lot wanted justice for the widespread atrocity crimes dedicated throughout the nation’s consecutive civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
Talking throughout the adoption of the outcomes of Liberia’s Common Periodic Evaluation (UPR), Musa stated Liberia was engaged in nationwide and regional consultations on accountability for severe crimes.
The final such session that we’re conscious of, nevertheless, was in 2019. As a coalition of Liberian and worldwide non-governmental organizations highlighted in a press release on the UPR outcomes, the federal government has remained largely silent ever since. then, whereas activists and witnesses to alleged crimes have confronted elevated threats.
In any occasion, the best way ahead ought to be clear with out additional consultations. Liberia Reality and Reconciliation Fee suggested the creation of a battle crimes tribunal greater than ten years in the past. Worldwide regulation obliges states to prosecute severe crimes, akin to battle crimes, which helps guarantee victims’ proper to reality, justice and efficient treatment, whereas combating impunity. As well as, victims, activists, neighborhood leaders, politicians and members of most people in Liberia have supported a battle crimes tribunal, even marching the streets to indicate their help.
At the same time as President George Weah procrastinates in court docket, accountability for the atrocities in Liberia has made nice strides exterior the nation. Switzerland launched the primary prosecution of battle crimes dedicated throughout the first civil battle in Liberia in December. The trial of Alieu Kosiah, additionally vital for Switzerland, resulted in early March and a verdict is predicted within the coming months. In February, Gibril Massaquoi continued trial in finland for crimes allegedly dedicated throughout the second civil battle in Liberia. The Finnish court docket even holds some auditions in Liberia, marking the primary proceedings on such crimes within the nation.
Liberia has the potential to change into a pacesetter in accountability for atrocities by establishing a battle crimes tribunal in accordance with worldwide requirements. As a substitute, the federal government leaves different international locations within the driver’s seat. Victims deserve greater than officers mistakenly branding previous occasions as new progress and may as a substitute see President Weah’s authorities unequivocally again a battle crimes tribunal and search UN assist to take action.
