Liberia moves to establish war crimes court decades after civil war
In a move towards justice and accountability, the Liberian Senate has endorsed the establishment of a long-awaited war crimes court to amongst others, hold perpetrators of brutalities during the civil conflicts accountable.
The resolution, backed by the Senate, supports the establishment of a war and economic crimes court, following a similar vote of approval by the lower house of parliament last month. Out of the 30 senators, 28 voted in favour, one abstained, and one vote remained uncast due to a vacant seat.
The conflicts, spanning from 1989 to 2003, claimed the lives of an estimated 250,000 people. Massacres, mutilation, rape, and even cannibalism stained the history of Liberia, yet no one has been held accountable for these atrocities, the VOA reports.
The next phase involves the resolution returning to the lower house for potential amendments before reaching President Joseph Boakai for final approval. Subsequently, a bill will be drafted and debated by both houses of parliament, paving the way for the establishment of the court.
President Joseph Boakai, in his inauguration speech back in January, committed his government to explore the possibility of creating a "war and economic crimes court" to hold accountable those deemed responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The United States has commended Liberia's strides towards justice, with US Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack expressing support for the court's creation. In a letter to Liberians in March, Schaack emphasized the prolonged wait for justice and the necessity of addressing the horrific abuses endured during the civil wars.
While a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommended the establishment of a war crimes tribunal in 2009, progress has been sluggish, partly due to concerns over peacekeeping and the continued influence of accused warlords within their communities.
