On Monday, June 21, 2021 the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, United States Congress, began hearings in the proposal for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia. The hearing was held via Cisco WebEx, and hosted by Congressmen Christopher H. Smith and James P. McGovern, both members of Congress and Co-Chairs on the US Congress human rights committee.
Panelists invited to give their opinion about the establishment of the court were Ysyndi Martin-Kepyei, Executive Director, Movement for Justice in Liberia (MOJUL); Jerome V. Verdier, Esq, Executive Director, International Justice Group and former Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Liberia (TRC); Michael Mueller, Chairman of the Global Initiative for Justice; and Dr. Alan W. White, former Chief of Investigations, Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Even though the Hot Pepper was informed that the Government of Liberia (GOL) was requested by the committee to send a representation at the hearing, no one turned out on behalf of the government.
The panelists, who were all proponents of the war and economic crimes court establishment, highlighted heinous crimes committed during the Liberian civil war, as well as crimes against humanity and breaches in the Geneva Convention.
One of the panelists, Verdier, explained to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission that the Liberian civil war was characterized by the recruitment of child soldiers, massacres, sexual violence, destruction of private proprieties, mass displacement of civilian population, and that the commission of these crimes were systematic and deliberate.
According to him, nothing happened during the war by accident—everything was planned and deliberate to achieve a political and military advantage on the war front. He said the war was also characterized by injustices and serious human rights violations.
“The US congress, through its traditional relations with Liberia, passed Congress Resolution 1055, reaffirming the strong ties between the two countries and calling for the full implementation of the TRC report, especially the establishment of the war and economic crimes court. This single act has been a rallying point for advocates, and was an impetus that led to the Liberian National Legislature gathering a majority bloc signature to a resolution calling on the government of President George M. Weah to implement the TRC report as recommended by House Resolution 1055,” the erstwhile TRC Chairman explained.
However, Verdier accused the Weah government of lacking the “political will” to implement the TRC report, claiming that the Weah government is infested with a number of war criminals and individuals who were bent on looting the nation’s coffers over the years.
He assured the committee that financial support for the establishment of the court was not the problem, as the Swedish government recently committed to providing support towards the endeavor. He quickly pointed out that the Liberian government’s consent is needed and required in the matter, as well as their commitment to providing some form of support toward the establishment of the court.
Dr. Alan White, former Chief of Investigations, Special Court for Sierra Leone, noted that the establishment of the court is important, and that the court should be established in Liberia in order for Liberians to have a taste of justice, as was done in neighboring Sierra Leone. He said the Special Court for Sierra Leone was a success, and now Sierra Leoneans are moving on, and this too needs to be done for Liberians.