NEW YORK: A high-profiled Liberian government delegation from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), has formally met with the American Government, through United States Department of Justice (DoJ), aimed at the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, enhancing the rule of law, and ensuring justice for all.
Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), hosted the high-profiled delegation from the Ministry of Justice which included Deputy Minister of Justice, Cllr. Charles D. F. Karmo II; Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi, Executive Director of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia; and Atty. Lois Nimley (Nyenpan) Wisner, Legal Expert at the United Nations. The meeting was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
According to a dispatch from New York, “This visit is part of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG-16, which emphasizes peace, justice, and strong institutions”.
During the visit, the delegation “engaged in significant discussions with the United States Department of Justice (DoJ), led by Rachel Rossi, Director of the Office for Access to Justice.”
Rossi, who has been in her role since May 2022, previously served as Deputy Associate Attorney General. Elise Keppler, Executive Director, and Kelly Adams, Legal Advisor of the Global Justice Center, joined the meeting, as did Stephen Mathias, the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs at the United Nations.
“In a critical address to the HLPF,” the dispatch said, Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi presented on “The Sustainable Development Goals 16 (SDG-16) in Compliance with the Role of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.”
Cllr. Massaquoi’s speech “highlighted Liberia’s strides and challenges in upholding justice and accountability through establishing and operating the War and Economic Crimes Court.”
The delegation also attended a prestigious lunch reception in honor of HLPF 2024, hosted by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States Representative to the United Nations.
“This event provided an invaluable networking opportunity for the Liberian delegation to discuss further cooperation and support for their justice initiatives,” the dispatch added.
The visit of the Liberia Justice Ministry delegation to the United Nations marks a significant step in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its judicial system and uphold the rule of law, aligning with the global objectives set out in SDG 16.
