The Executive Director of a women group in the country known as’ Women’s Action For Rights and Empowerment (WARE), Madam Maima D. Robinson, has disclosed that the establishment of war and Economic crimes court in Liberia will serve as a deterrent for would-be human rights abusers to rethink themselves before engaging into any act of war in Liberia in the future.
She said that despite the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s conclusions that atrocity crimes and serious violations of international law were committed, the Liberian government continues to waver over the creation of a recommended war crimes court to hold perpetrators to account for their actions in the Liberia’s civil war.
Madam Robinson, made the statement over the weekend in an interview with the Independent Newspaper at the closed of a four days capacity building Training of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendation, advocating and Monitoring of the TRC, organized by a local Civil Society group in the country known as Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia, (WONGOSOL) with funding from the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund, United Nations Civil Society Partnership.
Madam Robinson indicated that some even see an accountability mechanism as an essential step for Liberia to heal from the wounds of the past and to address Liberia’s culture of impunity.
She stressed that others, however, worry that a court will reignite old tensions, that it could be misused for political purposes, and that it would be too costly given Liberia’s struggling economy.
Madam Robinson added that people must be held accountable for the accountable for crimes, are practices that have kept the country and its citizens backward for far too long.
Madam Robinson, maintained that too many women are living with bullets in their bodies, and the establishment of the war crimes court will allow them to explain their stories, which would be documented.
According to Madam Robinson. her organization will encourage more women groups to partner with them to provide them intensive training that will enhance their participation in the advocacy that will equip them to get more involve in ensuring that those who committed human rights violations in th3e country are brought to book.
“This is why I support the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia because this courts will help us find justice for victims hopefully, they will lay painful memories of loved ones, and innocent souls to deserved eternal rest, she stressed
The Women’s Action for Rights and Empowerment Boss expressed the believe that the establishment of war and Economic crimes court in Liberia will also lift the weight off the shoulders of accused persons who believe that themselves to be innocent or wrongly accused.
She added that a court is not just a place to seek punishment. It is a place to find the truth, to award justice, and to set the innocent or wrongly accused, free.”
Madam Robinson clarify that the court will help Liberians heal and reconcile, it should not be limited to the crimes committed during the war but it should have the jurisdiction for the trying of current and future crimes such as “stealing from the people, and passing deals that cheats Liberia and Liberians.
She then used the occasion to call for more women involvement in advocating for the implementation of The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations.
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