MONROVIA: The National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL) has hailed both chambers of the National Legislature for the signing of a Joint Resolution for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.
It could be recalled that the House of Representatives barely a month ago passed the Resolution for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) for Liberia before the full Plenary – highest decision-making body of the Senate, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, unanimously signed the Joint Resolution.
The august body overwhelmingly made the decision with 28 of the 29 members of the Senate affixing their signatures to the document.
Maryland County Senator James Biney is the only person yet to sign the document but said when certain clarities are made to clear all constitutional doubts, he would sign onto it.
The Senate, in its action, made few additions and subtractions, thus prompting the document to be resubmitted to the House for concurrence; and hence, that has been done already and the document is being submitted to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for further Executive action.
Consequently, the CSO Council, in a statement issued Monday, April 15, 2024, lauded the Legislature for the passage of the landmark document, which it believes will help ensure peace and tranquility to the nation and its people.
The statement, quoting Chairperson, Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai, pointed out that the establishment of a war and economic crime court for Liberia will help end impunity in the country.
Madam Pope-Kai believes that the best way to have peace and reconciliation is to insist that the perpetrators of war and economic crimes as well as those who committed atrocities during the hay days of the war are made to account for their actions.
“The National Civil Society Council is delighted over the recent action of the Legislature to pass the long-awaited Resolution that gives birth to the different processes leading to the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia. This has long been in the pipeline for almost 20 years, and so we want to thank members of this 55th Legislature for their courage to sign this instrument,” said the CSO statement.
“NCSCL believes that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia is the path to true reconciliation and national healing and the means to end the culture of impunity in Liberia.”
