By Bill W. Cooper
Justice Minister-designate, Oswald Tweh, vowed to ensure that Boakai-led government and every citizen will be made to respect the fundamental laws of the country at all times.
Cllr. Tweh noted that as Attorney General of Liberia, his primary aim would be to ensure that all Liberians respect the rule of law and the Liberian Constitution.
He made the disclosure over the weekend, when he appeared before the Senate’s Committee on Judiciary, Claims, and Petitions, for his confirmation hearing in Monrovia.
Tweh emphasized the importance of the rule of law in creating a just and equitable society, and outlined his vision for the Ministry of Justice and committed himself to upholding the rule of law in Liberia.
The Justice Minister-designate stressed that the government must lead by example in respecting and upholding the laws of the land, and that citizens must also be held accountable for their actions, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the country’s justice system, noting, “That all individuals, regardless of his/her status, and or affiliation, will be treated equally before the law.”
He said, “As Attorney General, the issues of lawlessness will be a memory of the past because this government, headed by President Boakai, will be of law and not of men like has been done in time past.”
“I, Cllr. Oswald Tweh, if confirmed by this body, will make sure this government respects all laws and constitutional provisions of this country, because with that, the citizens will be cautious in their attitudes and actions.
Distinguished Senators, the law is the law and there should be no reason(s) why we should disrespect the Constitution. So, as per my responsibilities, I will also advice the President in making sure that all of his decisions are in line with the Constitution and other laws,” he reiterated.
The Justice Minister-designate further expressed his commitment to ensuring that justice is served swiftly and fairly in Liberia, and that no one is above the law.
When asked about his plans to address corruption within the justice system, Tweh acknowledged that corruption is a pervasive issue in Liberia and pledged to work tirelessly to root it out.
He observed that there is a need for strong enforcement of anti-corruption laws and the prosecution of individuals found guilty of corrupt practices in government and the country at large.
On his approach to address human rights violations in Liberia, Tweh reaffirmed his commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect.
Meanwhile, in response about the state of the country’s prison system, the nominee admitted that there are significant challenges, ranging from over crowdedness of various prisons to lack of funding for adequate maintenance of deplorable prison facilities, including clinics and reading rooms in those facilities.
He, however, pledged to work with the relevant authorities, including the Legislature, to improve conditions in all of the country’s prisons and ensure that inmates are treated humanely and given access to legal representation.
The Justice Minister-designate expressed his dismay over the high rate of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases in Liberia, and promised that he would employ a vigorous strategy to combat the menace.
Cllr. Tweh then stressed the need for more education and awareness campaigns to change attitudes towards SGBV issues, coupled with the importance of providing support and assistance to victims.
If confirmed by the Senate, Cllr. Tweh will replace former Justice Minister, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, who, during his tenure, was heavily criticized for his poor handling of the country’s justice system.
