The Office for the establishment of an Office of a War and Economic Crimes Court has welcomed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s renewal of his Executive Order for the establishment of the Court. The Court aims to address the atrocities committed during the civil wars and to hold those responsible for economic crimes.
Executive Order No. 148 outlines the framework for the court, including its mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and significant economic offenses. This initiative is seen as a critical move to restore public trust in the judicial system and promote the rule of law in the country.
The Executive Director of OWECC-L expressed optimism that the court will serve as a deterrent against future abuses and will provide a platform for victims to seek justice.
This development comes after years of advocacy from civil society groups and international organizations that have called for accountability and the end of impunity in Liberia.
As the Office continues to with efforts to set up the Court, there is hope that the Court will not only address past wrongs but also pave the way for a more just and equitable society. The international community is closely watching this situation, offering support and resources to ensure the court’s success in delivering justice for the victims of war and economic crimes in Liberia.
The fight against impunity, human rights abuse, violations of humanitarian law, and disregard for the rule of law has taken another major boost following the issuance of Executive Order No. 148 by President Boakai Establishing the Office of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.
The decision by the President, which has been welcomed by the Executive Director of OWECC-L, Cllr. Dr. Jallah Barbu, now gives him and his team another opportunity to execute their mandate establishing the office.
According to him, the Liberian leader’s latest decision is a demonstration that he has explicit confidence in him and the work that his office have done so far.
“I respectfully avail myself of this opportunity to thank President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for his bold, decisive and unrelenting drive aimed at fighting impunity, abuse of human rights, and violations of the law,” Cllr. Barbu said.
Speaking at a press Conference, Dr. Barbu stated that the move will also address the atrocities committed and the enormous sufferings to which the Liberian people have been subjected on the one hand, and on the other, assure accountability and healing of the wounds growing of the war.
He, at the same time, told reporters that the President’s action is a commitment to “ensuring the enforcement of justice for war crimes victims, as part of the government’s rule of law initiative.
“In our country today, we still experience war mongering, threats of violence, and in reality, violence that reminds us of the atrocities and sufferings from our civil crises and unless, and until they are dealt with uncompromisingly, our country may never enjoy stable peace and justice for all,” he maintained.
Dr. Barbu, who agrees fully with the President that in the best interest of the Liberian people that the implementation of the TRC Report, which calls for the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia that will prosecute people who committed war crimes and, crimes against humanity, of whatever nature, during the course of the Liberian civil war, be pursued not only to address the impunities and atrocities that attended the Liberian civil war but also to serve as a deterrence for similar events in the future.
The head of the Office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia used the occasion to reassure President Boakai and the Liberian people that the office primary focus among other things of inclusion of all persons with no room for exclusion remains enforced.
The new mandate also saw the increment of the annual budget of the office from US$368,000 to US$2 million, this Cllr. Barbu described as laudable whilst also advocating for more due to the huge tasks ahead including the crucial nature of their work.
“I believe that the President agreed with my advocacy for more funding to the office for our work and this led to the new appropriation of US$2 million which will be released quarterly in the tune of US$500,000,” he disclosed.
Cllr. Barbu, who named some of their expenditure items as annual rent of US$50,000, salaries of staffs, purchase of stationaries, electricity supply as well as working with local civil society organizations in and around the Country among others was also quick to appeal to other partners to assist them in other to further enhance their work.
