A conglomeration of six youth and student organizations, under the banner, “The Coalition of Youths and Students for Better Liberia (COYSBL)”, has termed as belated, untimely and overdue the consistent calls for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia.

   COYSBL said while it believes that those who led atrocities, committed economic crimes and other human rights violations must be brought to justice, the best and appropriate time to have established a war and economic crimes court in Liberia was right after the civil war, when memories of the wars were fresh on the minds of the victims and their families. Also, the group noted, the presence of over 15,000 UN troops in Liberia, as of 2003, presented a better security environment for the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of war and economic crimes in Liberia.  

   There have been consistent calls in recent times by several individuals and institutions for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia. But speaking over the weekend, COYSBL in a release, through its Spokesperson, Joshua Miller, expressed dismay and disappointment in the failure of the former ruling Unity Party (UP) government to have led the establishment of the court but allowed perpetrators of war and economic crimes to get integrated into the Liberian society and establish political support bases.

   The group described as sheer deception, hypocrisy and political gambit for major players of the Unity Party government to become overnight advocates for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court when they blatantly and woefully ignored the many calls made for the establishment of the court during their 12-year administration. COYSBL said it believes that the calls for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court are bent on derailing the hard-earned peace, stability and tranquility the people of Liberia currently enjoy.

   The Coalition of Youths and Students for Better Liberia said, “It is time for Liberians to focus on reconciliation and peace-building for a more cohesive society. All Liberians must embrace the path of restorative justice so as not to disturb our peace. It has become non-feasible to establish a war and economic crimes court with the passing of time. We then call on members of the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives to exercise high degree of discretion and wisdom in making any decision on the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia. The youths and students of Liberia are hopeful that the Legislature will prioritize peace, harmony and co-existence by supporting restorative justice, which brings the perpetrators and victims together, instead of endorsing the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia. Therefore, we reiterate that, while we support the act of bringing those responsible for wars and economic crimes to justice, we do not support the establishment of a war and economic crimes court at this time in Liberia, as this is not in the interest of the Liberian state.

   “In conclusion, COYSBL urges all Liberians to prevail on the Liberian government to focus on improving the livelihood of Liberian citizens, through the development of educational policies that will greatly build the capacity of the youths of Liberia, improve healthcare delivery, build more infrastructures that will revitalize the Liberian economy, increase the availability of energy power to attract more investments and provide employment opportunities for youths and students of Liberia. Spending time and resources on the establishment of a war and economic crimes court will ultimately distract government’s attention from these more important things that will improve and develop the Liberian state. Since Liberians have been integrated as one family, restorative justice is the way forward.”