Human Rights Advocate Says November 25 Hearing Offers Critical Opportunity to Advance Justice, Accountability and National Reconciliation
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Monrovia — Prominent human rights advocate Adama K. Dempster has welcomed the Liberian Senate’s decision to invite civil society organizations and other stakeholders to a public hearing on proposed legislation seeking to establish a Special War Crimes Court and a Special Economic and Corruption Crimes Court in Liberia.
Dempster, National Secretary General of the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia and a longstanding campaigner for the establishment of accountability courts, described the Senate’s invitation as an important milestone in the country’s pursuit of justice for civil war-era atrocities and major economic and corruption-related offenses.
In a statement issued Monday, November 9, 2026, Dempster, speaking on behalf of the human rights and civil society community, commended the Senate for creating an opportunity for broad public engagement in the legislative process.
The public hearing, organized by the Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petitions, is scheduled for November 25, 2026, at 12 noon in the Senate Chamber Annex.
The hearing will provide an opportunity for civil society organizations, victims’ groups, human rights defenders, legal practitioners, government representatives and other stakeholders to present their views and recommendations on the harmonized bills before the committee forwards its recommendations to the full Senate for consideration.
Dempster said meaningful consultations with citizens, victims, survivors and legal experts are essential to ensuring that the proposed courts meet international standards, protect victims’ rights, guarantee due process for accused persons and strengthen public confidence in the rule of law.
He also noted that the proposed Special War Crimes Court is consistent with longstanding demands by human rights organizations, transitional justice advocates and civil society groups for the implementation of the recommendations of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
According to him, the hearing will also provide an important platform for national and international experts to offer recommendations on the proposed courts’ mandates, jurisdiction, independence, institutional structures and operational effectiveness.
“We want to appreciate the Liberian Senate for creating this space for public engagement through dialogue and recognizing civil society and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights’ initial submission of the war crimes court draft bill in 2025,” Dempster stated.
He reaffirmed the commitment of civil society and the human rights community to participate constructively in the process, stressing that the ultimate objective should be to deliver justice to victims while advancing reconciliation, accountability and lasting peace.
Dempster further described the Senate’s action as consistent with the Joint Resolution adopted in April 2024 by both Houses of the 55th National Legislature, which supported the process of establishing war and economic crimes courts in Liberia.
He called on victims’ associations, youth and women’s organizations, religious and traditional leaders, development partners and the wider Liberian public to actively participate in the consultations surrounding the proposed legislation.
Dempster emphasized that establishing the two accountability mechanisms should not be viewed solely as an effort to address crimes committed during the country’s past conflicts, but also as an opportunity to strengthen democratic governance, combat impunity and promote national healing.
He argued that confronting historical injustices and economic crimes would help ensure that future generations inherit a society grounded in justice, accountability and respect for human rights.
The November 25 hearing is expected to provide a critical opportunity for stakeholders to shape the proposed legal framework as Liberia continues its efforts to confront the legacy of conflict, impunity and unresolved demands for accountability.
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