As the debate for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court heightens in Liberia, scores of organizations continue to push forth for the setting up of such a court.
For some time now, the civil society group, Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), a cross-section of the Liberian populace and Global Justice and Research Project (GJRP), among others, have craved for the formation of a war and economic crimes court in order to bring to book alleged or perceived perpetrators of human rights abuses, war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed during the Liberian civil war.
These groups calling for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court have all attributed their stance to the recommendations that sprang out of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). They believe that people accused of war and economic crimes, human rights violation and other odious crimes should have their day in court.
The TRC recommendation for the setting up of a war and economic court was made public over a decade ago, but the Government of Liberia (GoL) has yet to implement that portion of the TRC report which calls for bringing the perpetrators and war victims face-to-face at a war crimes tribunal.
Of recent, another group that has underscored the importance for a war crimes court in the country is the Liberia Christian Association of the Blind (CAB), a non-for-profit advocacy body that has been in the vanguard for over 25 years now in championing the cause of blind people and visually impaired citizens, in order that they may form part of the decision-making politics and governance processes of the nation.
The CAB stance for the setting up of a war crimes court was reached following the holding of the association’s 8th national general assembly recently in Monrovia, held under the theme, “Creating Space and Opportunities in Society for Inclusive Social Development and Empowerment of the Blind”.
CAB’s general assembly is the meeting of the highest decision-making body of the association, consisting of national/local leaders and opinion leaders from all of the association’s branches in Liberia.
In one of its eight-count recommendations that evolved from its general assembly, CAB wants a war crimes court established in the nation in furtherance of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) recommendation.
According to CAB, which is headed by blind advocate, Sir Beyan G. Kota, President/CEO, for the upholding of the rule of law and maintaining of permanent peace and stability in Liberia, the war crimes court ought to be established at all cost.
CAB, in its recommendation, said if the war crimes court is set up in Liberia it will punish those who bear the greatest responsibilities of economic crimes and crimes against humanity, among others, especially during the 14 years of civil war in the country.
At the same time, CAB has intensified its advocacy campaign to ensure the election/representation of persons with disability at the National Legislature to speak and foster the development of the disabled, in accordance with Section 9 of the law establishing the Liberia National Commission on Disability, and allocating three seats for persons with disability in Liberia.
Article 12 Section 21 of CAB’s constitution under the eligibility clause pertaining to sexual harassment and abuse was amended by the general assembly to report the individual allegedly committing such crime to state security rather than taking action to expel the perpetrator from CAB.
The CAB general assembly then reached a decision to conduct Braille literacy and numeracy program to afford its members, especially leaders, the opportunity to empower them to become literate and fluent in the use of Braille and other skills, including access to technology and the use of smart phones at all CAB local branches in eight counties.