By Bill W. Cooper
The establishment of the long-awaited War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia is said to be gaining momentum.
The Liberia NGOS Network (LINNK) has officially launched a nationwide awareness campaign to garner support for the initiative.
The court, when established will be tasked with prosecuting individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and economic crimes committed during Liberia’s civil wars.
The idea of establishing the WECC in the country has been a contentious issue for many years after enduring two brutal civil wars between 1989 and 2003, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 250,000 people and widespread human rights abuses.
But despite the end of the deadly conflicts, many perpetrators of these crimes have not been held accountable for their actions as some have also been paid in return with political jobs.
In recent years, there has been a growing call from victims, civil society groups, and international organizations for the establishment of a specialized court to address these atrocities.
The court would be modeled after other international tribunals, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which have prosecuted individuals for similar crimes.
LINNK, as one of the lead campaigners for the establishment of the court, during its launching its awareness under the theme: “Citizens Participation and Engagement” said it is essential for achieving justice, accountability, and reconciliation in Liberia.
The CSO through its national chairperson, Stephen B. Norman, also argued that they believe that holding perpetrators accountable for their actions is crucial for preventing future conflicts and ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve.
According to him, the nationwide awareness campaign aims to educate the Liberian public about the importance of establishing the court and to mobilize support for the initiative.
He added that the campaign includes public forums, radio broadcasts, and social media outreach among others, to raise awareness about the court and its potential impact on the country.
Earlier serving as the Chief launcher, Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, Eric Sumo Quaqua, noted that one of the key importance is that the establishment of the court would send a strong message that impunity for war crimes and economic crimes will not be tolerated in Liberia.
Ambassador Quaqua expressed his optimism that holding individuals accountable for their actions will help to break the cycle of violence and ensure that justice is served for the victims of the civil wars.
He also pledged to work along with LINNK and other CSOs leading the campaign for the successful establishment of the WECC, those he described as determined to see justice served for the victims of the civil wars and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
George Wistner, a proxy for the WECC Office Executive Director, Jonathan Massaquoi said since the issuance of the Executive Order calling for the establishment of the court by President Boakai, the WECC establishment has gained momentum.
He stressed that the court would be tasked with prosecuting individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and economic crimes committed during Liberia’s civil wars.
Mr. Wistner at the same time called on all Liberians including politicians to join forces with those CSOs in championing the establishment for the WECC, bringing an end to the culture of impunity in Liberia.
