Monrovia – STAND expresses concern about the slow pace of the War Crimes Court process and calls on President Boakai to revive the process, given growing calls for a more open, consultative and participatory process since the appointment of the Executive Director.
STAND had previously announced its support to Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi following his appointment as executive director of the office of the war and economic crimes court of Liberia.
However, in its latest press release, the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day said despite its recent support for the Executive Directorship of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi, “We find these calls and concerns, especially coming from the Liberia National Bar Association, human rights organizations and other stakeholders, to be worthy of immediate attention and cannot be ignored.”
According to STAND, to dismiss concerns about a process that evidently lacks extensive consultation and participation is to perhaps further the lukewarm reception being noticed from a significant portion of the international community and partners.
It added that these observations come after extensive discussions with a cross-section of human rights advocates and civil society actors for a deeper understanding of the contentious issues that will hinder the implementation of the WECC process, if not addressed.
“While STAND applauds President Boakai for taking bold steps to advance the Justice Agenda of the nation – something his recent two predecessors were too timid to do, it would be counterproductive if broad consultations and inclusive participation of all civil society actors, human rights organizations, and international development partners are not considered,” STAND said in the statement issued by its Chairman Mulbah Morlu.
According to the organization, these evolving issues and mixed reactions arising both locally and internationally, which stem from limited involvement and consultation following the appointment of the Executive Director, indicate that the process of establishing the court will yield better results if proper and adequate consultations are carried out.
It noted that a careful review of the process thus far supports the conclusion that the establishment of the WECC Secretariat was not inclusive and adequately consultative.
It added that “civil society, including other human rights groups who are moral guarantors of our peace process and knowledgeable about these matters should have been given the opportunity to play a much more constructive and meaningful role in the formation of the secretariat. Information available to STAND shows this was not the case.”
Meanwhile, to address these critical national concerns, and in alignment with international best practices and transparency, STAND is recommending that a reset of the process leading to the reformation of the Secretariat be considered to cover extensive consultation both locally and internationally. This necessary step will not only preserve the credibility and integrity of the WECC process, but will also help to mobilize national and community support from major stakeholders against any potential resistance, it added.
“Now that a support letter has been sent to the UN, and the implementation process is still in its infancy with plenty of room for improvement, STAND appeals to President Boakai to call for a NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE, inviting civil society institutions, human rights organizations, and international stakeholders to meet and deliberate on the way forward.”
“While STAND volunteers its commitment to work with other stakeholders to break the current impasse, it reiterates the need for a NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE where civil society institutions, the Liberia National Bar Association, and human rights organizations can meet, deliberate, and draw up a shortlist of qualified Liberians to be submitted to the President, from which he will make a selection for appointment.”
In addition, STAND said it believes that, consistent with transparency and best practices, the establishment of the WECC Secretariat should be done in consultation and collaboration with the office of the UN Human Rights Division in Liberia. Unless this is done, any such process will be perceived as unilateral and contrary to the collective good.
STAND added that its requests rely on the fact that the office of the WECC is part of an independent process and therefore must be seen and perceived as being fiercely independent, not an appendage of the President or the Executive Branch of Government.
It called for the Office of the WECC, which is said not to be a cabinet position, must be run by an office holder who will be held to a higher standard of quality as explicitly stated in both the Joint Resolution of the National Legislature, which was signed into law by President Boakai.
Following this laudable action, the President later issued Executive Order 131 with similar qualifying standards. As such, the appointee must be independent of Executive Powers and certified or qualified based on the requirements of the law.
