The Global Justice for Peace and Human Rights Advocacy Network (GJPHRAN) has noted that the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia is long overdue, and welcomes recent developments from the National Legislature—shining a light of hope for justice for the over 250,000 dead, and also for living victims of the country’s brutal civil war.
The House of Representatives and the Senate have both signed a joint resolution supporting the establishment of awar crimes court in the country. The Legislature’s resolution authorized President Boakai to issue an executive order to set up the first Special Office for War Crimes to determine the scope and operations of the war crimes court, and to solicit international support, particularly to write the United Nations Secretary-General.
In a release issued over the weekend and signed by its Global Director Advocate-Activist General, Ambassador Dr. Marie Scott Wilson, the GJPHRAN said, “In this light, GJPHRAN takes serious concern regarding the credibility and integrity of establishing the War Crimes Court, specifically questions surrounding certain organizations that have been involved in witness recruitment, witness coaching, and witness payment to make false claims against accused persons in war crimes cases. Alain Werner of Civitas Maxima, Hassan Bility of the Global Justice Research Project, and the Center for Justice and Accountability have been accused of producing false testimonies against accused persons in Liberian war crimes cases in Europe.
“GJPHRAN unequivocally calls for an investigation into these allegations and recommends a thorough vetting process for organizations and individuals that will be involved with the Liberian war crimes court to ensure ethical standards are upheld. Those organizations with a history of witness coaching and falsification of evidence should be excluded from the process.
“Therefore, GJPHRAN now calls upon His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to swiftly sign the legal documents for the establishment of the war crimes court as the means to begin a check on impunity in Liberia. President Boakai, without delay, should issue an executive order to set up a Special War Crimes Office which will be responsible for coordinating activities for the establishment of the war crimes court, and the President should write a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General seeking international assistance for the establishment of the War Crimes Court.”
