The Association of the Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) says the prompt appointment of the Executive Director, Jonathan Massaquoi, is welcoming.
However, AFELL is challenging Massaquoi to design, develop and implement appropriate mechanism to ensure that the court is properly established, satisfactory structure, and professionally manned to address the issue of impunity in Liberia, under Liberia’s Rule of Law System and other International frameworks.
The strong campaigner of the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia said for over 20 years, victims/survivors of heinous crimes of Liberia’s civil war are lingering for justice, seeking for emotional and psychological healing as the nation is yearning for national reconciliation.
In addressing several confirmed physical, emotional, and psychological hurts and pains, the House of Representative of the Legislature galvanized the political will and passed on Resolution number 001/2024 approving the setting up of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia; a Resolution that was concurred with by the Liberian Senate.
It was welcomingly followed by Executive Order #131, signed by the President of Liberia, His Excellency, Joseph Bokai.
This Presidential directive clearly states in Section 1, that the office “shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be an astute lawyer of impeccable character knowledgeable in constitutional law and criminal law and capable of working with the international community….Further, the office of the Executive Director shall be assisted by a secretariat and core of highly professional legal minds, with such other officers and consultants as shall be required to effectively carry out the task assigned to the office”.
Meanwhile, AFELL urged Cllr. Massaquoi to involve and work closely with Civil Society Organizations towards the effective creation of the court being mindful that the Office’s mandate for the establishment of the court is a complicated task which requires expertise both substantive and temporal for successful achievement.
AFELL seeks justice and accountability for the people of Liberia; women and children that were killed, tortured, raped, and sexually assaulted during the civil crisis must be afforded access to justice and perpetrators should be held accountable for their actions.
AFELL makes this resounding call for prudence noting, “Let us not miss any critical steps which are notable to the establishment of the court. It is incumbent upon us all, together as Liberians, to take necessary actions to ensure that rights are protected peacefully and lawfully.”
