MONROVIA – Last week, President George Weah asked the National Legislature to advise him on the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations that include the setting up of a war crimes court. The move is Liberia’s first ever step towards addressing the legacy of its 14-year civil war that killed an estimated 250,000 people and displaced more than a million.
Report by J. H. Webster, [email protected]
FrontPageAfrica has been talking with Liberians from all walks of life on President Weah’s move in the direction of the establishment of the court.
Betty Shanpol, Business Woman
“I am very happy because people who did all those killing should face justice. Like me, I was one of the victims. My mother died on the wayside and it was so bad. So, establishing the war crimes court will bring relief to us. Those who killed our parents and other family members should face justice.
Despite some of them have power or wealth it has nothing to do with the court system. You can have all the money once you commit a crime you must face justice.
So, whether you have money or you are in the government, you must pay for your wrong. What happened in the dark years back needs to come to light.
The war crimes court will set an example in this country. Anyone who thinks that they can bring war will think twice because they know that they will not go unpunished.”
Precious Norman, Nurse
I’m delighted in the President’s move to see the establishment of war crime court. This is something that we have long been crying for.
People in the government presently are part of the crime committed during the war. As you can see, there are lots of statements they can make and it can irritate other people.
So, it is good that they will be made to face justice. It is never too late to face justice. I think it is the right time. Everything happens at the appointed time, so for me it is the right time.
The war crimes court will mean a lot to us. People lost their relatives and those who committed those crimes are still around and making some threats and it is causing serious problems for our society.
This is a country of law so the war crimes court will fight for us. We can fight for ourselves.
No matter the economic situation we are in, the establishment of the war crimes court must come to a reality.
Godwin Farley, Driver
I want to thank the President for this initiative and want to call on the Legislature to pass the bill for the establishment of the war and economy crimes court.
Any person who committed a crime against humanity should taste the full weight of the law. If the court is set up, it will serve as a deterrent to others that will make an attempt to commit any crime. If we say, let just leave it for peace sake, anybody will do something and just walk free.
Look at the situation we are now in, where people can just come and take money that belongs to the majority of the citizens. So, I am one hundred percent supporting the establishment of the war crimes court.
Despite people who are listed to be tried being in government and having some influences, it will not be a problem for us to try them. We gave them power, so we can take it from them.
They were poor when they brought the war but now they are all rich and as you can see, if it was not for the war, some of us were not going to be like this.
So, let the war crimes court come. No nobody is bigger than the law. Nobody is more Liberian than the other. Even I who standing here, if my mother or father took part during the war let he or she should be tried.
Fasu kromah, Activist
“I strongly support such letter sent by the President to the Legislature for the establishment of the war and economic crime court. Justice has blind eyes when it comes to personality.
No matter your status in society, in as much you have infringed on the rights of people the law should take its course.
So, as a person who has been a long-time activist for the establishment of the war and economic crimes court, I highly support the letter sent to the Legislature to prosecute warmongers.
We fought 14 years of war in this country and we saw lots of carnages, we saw precious lives being destroyed. We saw millions of properties being damaged and we saw the retrogression of our country. So, we strongly believe that those who are responsible for the downward trend of Liberia, we think that it is time for them to answer for the wrong they did to our country.
I think with the establishment of the court, it will serve as a deterrent for would-be violators.”
Varney Dorley, Vender
“I am really happy to hear that our President has sent to the Legislature a letter to establish the war and economic crime court. More people cried for this court so I am happy that President Weah listened to the call of the Liberian people.
Although the time is hard, no money in the country, we are ready for the war crimes court. It is not late to establish a war crimes court.
Anyone who will be guilty should go to jail no matter their status in society. Many people who got affected during the war, when this court is established it will bring back comfort or relief to them.”