At long last, the plenary of the Liberian Senate is set to concur with the House of Representatives on a resolution calling for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia.
The decision comes amidst calls for the establishment of the long-awaited WECC in Liberia, which also triggered a petition that was submitted to the Senate recently for concurrence, aimed at setting the stage for the court’s establishment.
Also, the petition, which was signed by over 40 Representatives, calls for the establishment of the court to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes and economic crimes committed during Liberia’s civil wars.
The petition, at the same time, further highlighted the need for justice and accountability for the victims of these crimes, many of whom have yet to see any form of justice from past governments since the end of the civil unrest.
The establishment of the WECC has been a contentious issue in Liberia for many years as the country’s civil wars, which lasted from 1989 to 2003, were marked by widespread atrocities and human rights abuses.
But despite the end of the wars, many of those responsible for these crimes have not been held accountable, with some of the alleged perpetrators now occupying key positions in the Liberian government, especially at the level of Legislature.
Furthermore, human rights organizations and international bodies, including the United States Government, have all long called for the establishment of a court to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes and economic crimes in Liberia.
As the petition submitted to the Senate reflects the growing momentum behind this call for justice, some supporters of the court, including several Senators and Representatives, argued that it is essential for reconciliation and healing in Liberia.
At the same time, they also believe that, without justice for the victims of war crimes and economic crimes, the country will struggle to move forward and build a peaceful and prosperous future.
But some opponents of the court, including few Senators who are alleged to have participated in the country’s civil war, however, argue that it could reopen old wounds and further divide the country.
The likes of Senators Prince Johnson of Nimba County and Thomas Yaya Nimely of Grand Gedeh County, also fear that prosecutions could lead to instability and unrest, particularly among former combatants and their supporters.
Meanwhile, despite these concerns, Senate Pro-Tempore, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, invited the public to follow the Senate session today, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, as “a major decision will be taken on calls for the establishment of the war and economic crimes court”.
“The Senate notes the concerns of the public with respect to the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court; however, members of the Senate have relied on advice from members of the committees on Judiciary and Defense, Security and Intelligence,” she said.
The Grand Bassa County Senator furthered, “The public can be assured that just as they are concerned and interested in ending the culture of impunity in Liberia, Senators are also interested and concerned about ending what has been a long-standing issue of impunity, but has been keen on taking the appropriate step.”
As the petition submitted to the Senate for concurrence is expected to be debated and acted upon today, the Senate’s decision to concur with the House on this issue will be closely watched by both supporters and opponents of the court, as well as the international community.
And if the Senate agrees, it will mark a significant step towards bringing perpetrators of war crimes and economic crimes to justice in Liberia, as the outcome could also have far-reaching implications for the country’s future and its efforts to come to terms with its past.
