Washington – The International Justice Group(IJG) has submitted a petition for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, particularly the establishment of a criminal court for war and economic crimes committed during Liberia’s brutal civil war to the Liberian government.
The ICG’s Executive Director, Cllr. Jerome Verdier, chair of the erstwhile TRC in Liberia said the group is currently reviewing the draft legislation with a view to strengthening it, remove the likelihood of corruption and conflicts of interest, to conform to best practices, thus adjusting to current realities.
The petition amongst other things reminded President George Manneh Weah, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, President Pro Temp of the Senate, Albert Chie and House Speaker Bhophal Chambers that the Government of Liberia is under mandate, by law, to implement all the recommendations of the TRC Report, also specifically as stated in Article X, Reporting and Recommendations, Section 48, it is provided that : “The Head of State shall report to the National Legislature within three months of receipt of the TRC Report and on a quarterly basis, thereafter as to the implementation of the Commission’s Recommendations. All recommendations shall be implemented. Where the implementation of any Recommendation has not been complied with, the Legislature shall require the Head of State to show cause for such noncompliance”
Massive Human Rights Abuses Unpunished
The petition points to massive abuse of human rights during the Liberian civil war intolerably incensed the sensibilities not only of the Liberian people but also the sympathetic international community that bore the brunt of the material cost leading to the comprehensive restoration of peace and civil governance to Liberia.
The petition reminded the government of the widespread abuse of human rights, the wanton looting of the Liberian economy was noticeably egregious, as was rampant corruption committed on an unprecedented scale during the war, after the war, during the transitional governments and during the two term rule of Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, which corruption continued after her retirement from office, whereby Economic Crime and rampant corruption are continuously committed with impunity in Liberia.
The petition states that without justice, Liberia will never make progress beyond the war experience and the country risks returning to its once pariah status as a nation without the respect for the rule of law and justice.
In this light, the petitioners urged the government to urgently pass into law the statute for the establishment of the court.
The ICG urged President Weah to show leadership on the issue, reminding him of a previous communication set regarding the establishment of the court. “On being elected as President of Liberia, we sent a letter of congratulation to then President -Elect, George M Weah, congratulating him and reminding him of the national premium attached to the need for justice in Liberia to bring closure to the war era and foster national healing and reconciliation. We certain this plea has fallen on duck’s back.”
The petition emphasized that without justice, nothing will go right in Liberia. “Without justice, we would have failed to create the enabling and secured climate or environment for foreign direct investment in our country; without justice we strengthen impunity, lawlessness and deemphasize the rule of law as that guarding safeguard of the rights of all for the institutionalization of a just, equitable and fair society that enhances the rights of our people to equal protection and equal opportunity for all. Without justice, we are going nowhere, and no one is fooled thereby. We are neither fooled, nor impressed and so we think it is with fellow justice advocates or the international community.”
The petition averred that the country is taking a downward spin toward the unknown.
“Our country is dying, our people are suffering, our national institutions are in a state of national decline, and with declining living standards we are negatively impacting the stability of the family, undermining the fabric of our society and the sustainability of the future as you preside over a decadent system that serves you and your parochial interest only.
EJS Lapses No Excuse to Pass Buck
The ICG accused the President of presiding over a predatory system that eats all and leaves nothing to the poor and vulnerable. “The President has no intention of instituting justice in Liberia. For us, the charge is great and the pledge to defend and advance justice is unwavering. Anyone who hates justice is evil, ignorant and blind. The President must wake up to the demands of his people and the world. The President is blind!”
The ICG lamented that the failure of former President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf, to perform her constitutional duties cannot serve as an excuse or justification for President Weah’s nonperformance or failure to act in his capacity as President where warranted like in the implementation of All the Recommendations of the TRC, including the Establishment of the Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia. Such noncompliance by The President is a violation of the TRC Law which calls for the full implementation of all the recommendations of the TRC. It is a settled law – it is fait accompli – it can never be changed, modified or amended. The President, the National legislature and courts must accept it, there is no other alternative but to accept it; it is the established law of the land.