Monrovia – The Swedish Government says it has concluded approximately US$158 million plan on a new development cooperation strategy with Liberia for five years, beginning 2016 to 2020.
The strategy, according to Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, Lena Nordstrom, has three result areas focusing on human security, pro-poor growth and democracy, gender equity and greater respect for human rights.
Speaking Wednesday at the start of a four day retreat organized by the Carter Center for community justice advisors in Kakata, Margibi County, Ambassador Nordstrom registered the importance of access to justice in Liberia, equal access and protection as well as application of the law to all, irrespective of gender and social status, noting that it is a sound basis for stability and prosperity.
This, she said, is a necessary basis for democracy and lasting peace, adding “There is a lot of talk right now about the UNMIL drawdown, but I believe that all of you in this room are the real peacekeepers of Liberia. That is a big responsibility.”
The Swedish Ambassador informed Carter Center that its access to Justice Program has provided effective free legal information to community people by helping to enhance the capacity of traditional leaders in advancing good governance.
“You have worked to de-escalate conflict and to facilitate dispute resolution in communities far and wide in Liberia. You are truly the real peacekeepers of Liberia. I am imagining the power of one community justice advisor or these fifty-five CJAs as a group. I am informed that each of you work in at least ten communities providing civic education, legal information and mediation,” Ambassador Nordstrom praised CARTER Center.
She emphasized the need for more community members to participate in ensuring that there is more awareness on access to justice, calling on CJAs to see their work as a call to national duty.
Ambassador Nordstrom furthered that the partnership between the Carter Center and the Swedish Embassy has progressed over the time, stressing the embassy’s acknowledgement on the important role Carter Center continues to play in Liberia.
The Swedish Ambassador said, “I have heard that Carter Center and traditional and community leaders are doing great things in Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado and Nimba Counties,” recounting that Carter Center has played a critical role in working with traditional leaders and chiefs during the Ebola crisis.
She, at the same time, revealed that the objective of the Swedish Development Cooperation is to create opportunities for people living in poverty and under oppression to improve their living conditions.
Madam Nordstrom moreover pledged Sweden’s commitment to continue partnering with Liberia in strengthening peace and building a more inclusive society where all part of the country can prosper.
For his part, the Chief of Party of Carter Center, Pewee Flomoku, noted that access to justice plays a cardinal role in the promotion of the rule of law in Liberia through awareness by community justice advisors.
According to him, the retreat is important to the center as it expands into new counties and recruitment of new members focusing on bringing in partners, educating Community Justice Advisors on issues confronting various communities across Liberia.
Mr. Flomoku said it is equally important to include entity like the Liberia Revenue Authority in community awareness, since according to him, not many of the citizens across Liberia are aware of the importance of paying taxes amongst others.
“What we expect to take after the retreat is the additional information from partners; this is fulfillment of empowerment to the CJAs, especially the new ones. The old ones had been going over some of those things,” Mr. Flomoku said.
At the same time, Margibi County Superintendent John Buway pointed out that the inability to create a stronger justice system as well as providing the possibility to support it, there will be no fair justice system in Liberia.
Superintendent Buway wants more to be done, especially in the national budget for the strengthening of justice across Liberia, adding, “the national budget is concerned mostly on Legislative projects that will promote personal interest than the good of all”.
When people are marginalized and poor, according to him, there can be no justice for them thus leading them to take justice in their hands.
The Margibi County Superintendent admonished Liberians to desist violence and vandalizing of properties and rather use the rule of law in amicably addressing situations, maintaining that the Carter Center is already in the lead of ensuring that rural inhabitants have access to justice, especially women who are mostly victimized by crimes.
Furthermore, the President of the Liberia National Bar Association, Cllr. Moses Paegar has revealed that efforts have been worked out by Liberian Lawyers to ensure access to justice for every citizen.
Cllr. Paegar expressed frustration over the interpretation given to justice by some Liberians, which he said is not welcoming, emphasizing the need for access to justice to be explained well to citizens in helping to prevent them from going to court.
“This workshop will enable participants to get semi-education on access to justice. With the efforts made by Carter Center, citizens are now having access to justice in making justice to prevail,” Cllr. Paegar asserted.
He reminded participants of the seminar that Liberia will be at a crossroad in 2017 as a result of trouble from misinformation bordering on the rule of law and legal proceedings. Cllr. Paegar then pointed out that democracy would not prevail in Liberia if citizens lack access to justice, hence lauding Carter Center for the initiative.
Willie N. Tokpah/0777039231/0888140438 ([email protected])
