BEHN TOWN, GRAND BASSA COUNTY – The Chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Cllr. T. Dempster Browne, has affirmed the commitment to establish a War Crimes Court in Liberia to prosecute those responsible for committing war crimes during the civil war.
Speaking at a memorial dedicatory event in Behn Town, Grand Bassa County, on Tuesday, June 17, Cllr. Browne emphasized the need to end the “culture of impunity” that has allowed perpetrators to go unpunished.
Cllr. Browne stated that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has signed an Executive Order for the establishment of the Economic and War Crime Court, acknowledging that the 14-year civil crisis included human rights violations.
He highlighted the INCHR mandate to monitor, promote, and protect human rights and advise the government on violations.
However, Cllr. Browne expressed concern that individuals who were involved in the killings are now in positions of power within the House of Senate and Representatives, and are actively undermining the establishment of the court.
He specifically mentioned that the War Crime Court office is currently facing issues with staff payment, raising questions about who is withholding the necessary funds.
Despite these obstacles, he declared, “Enough is enough; those people’s days are over,” asserting that perpetrators will face prosecution.
The memorial dedication in Behn Town honored the over 700 people massacred on December 24, 1994.
For his part Deputy Resident Representative – Program UNDP Liberia, Mr. Louis Kuukpen underscored the importance of the event for reflection, healing, peacebuilding, and reconciliation.
He noted that an estimated 250,000 people lost their lives during Liberia’s civil war from 1989 to 2003.
The INCHR, with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has constructed nine memorials at massacre and mass grave sites across the country, aligning with Recommendation 17.0 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which calls for reparations and memorialization.
Five of these memorials are in Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Lofa, Gbarpolu, and Bong counties.
Kuukpen explained that these memorials humanize and honor the victims, serving as sites of remembrance and symbols of the nation’s collective rejection of violence.
He suggested that the INCHR work with local authorities and communities to manage and maintain these facilities, and train community members as storytellers for visitors, offering UNDP’s commitment to assist in this endeavor.
The dedication ceremony in Behn Town was attended by the INCHR Chairperson and Commissioners, dignitaries from the European Union and the Swedish Embassy, community and religious leaders, civil society organizations, women and youth leaders, local officials, and members of the Memorial Committee.
Subsequent ceremonies are scheduled for Bloe Town (Rivercess County), Bopolu City (Gbarpolu County), Kpotomai Town (Lofa County), and Gbonyea (Bong County).
