MONROVIA — United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack, has urged Liberians to stand up and demand the establishment of a war and economic crimes court.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Amb. Van Schaack’s office is responsible for advancing efforts around justice and accountability wherever atrocities have happened.
The Liberian civil war stands as one of Africa’s most devastating conflicts. Spanning 1989 to 2003 it resulted in the loss of over 250,000 Liberian lives and forced a one million people into refugee status inside and outside the country. The conflict also saw the exploitation of child soldiers, further compounding its human toll. But there has been no justice for the victims of the war on Liberian soil while some perpetrators of the atrocities committed during the war hold prominent positions in government.
Cautioning Liberians
In her letter to Liberians, published on the US embassy website, Ambassador Van Schaack said the creation of war crimes court will mark a significant and historic step to ending the culture of impunity in Liberia. Van Schaack added that in the absence of justice and accountability, the rule of law will be undermined and that corruption would take preeminence.
“When there is no accountability for the worst crimes known to humankind, it undermines the rule of law and contributes to corruption and lawlessness. In so many ways, there can be no true and lasting peace without justice,” she argued.
Van Schaack noted that the creation of the court will also show Liberia’s unpreparedness to revert to those days that left bitter memories which families of victims are still fighting to overcome. The US envoy said that Liberians have waited far too long to see justice for the horrific abuses they suffered in the country’s two civil wars, despite recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Amb. Van Schaack assured Liberians that the US will be on the alert to ensure that those advocating for justice do not face any form of threats to their safety from anyone during and after this struggle.
“The United States will also be watching closely to make sure that those advocating for justice do not face threats to their safety and that all Liberians can step forward and speak about this effort without fear of intimidation or retribution,” she said.
Amb. Van Shaack also stressed the need for victims and witnesses to play a central role in the work of the future Court, and they must be able to do so freely and safely. She went to thank President Joe Boakai for taking a key interest in the creation of the court during the early period of his administration.
“Like so many Liberians, I—along with the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, my colleagues here in Washington, and others within the international community—was very pleased to see President Boakai’s announcement in his inaugural address that he would begin the process of creating a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia. I applaud President Boakai for making justice such a priority in the early days of his administration,” said Amb. Van Shaack.
Amb. Van Shaack also said that she was thrilled to see a resolution from the House of Representatives in strong support of the War and Economic Crimes.
“Congratulations to the Speaker of the House and other Representatives for taking steps to implement the very important and welcome recommendations of the 2009 Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Now, over to the Senate,” she added.
Ambassador Van Shaack stated that she would be happy to see the court established during his next visit to Liberia.
She, earlier this month, met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Fonati Koffa and sponsors of the war crimes bill to receive updates on the bill’s status. She also met with the Liberian Senate.
FrontPageAfrica gathered that one of the contentious issues raised during the meeting with Amb. Van Schaack was the venue of the court which had been widely reported to be Winneba in Cape Coast, Ghana.
Both Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and Ambassador Van Schaack dismissed reports of the establishment of the war crimes tribunal in Winneba in Cape Coast, Ghana. Speaker Koffa told FrontPageAfrica that his office was insistent on the establishment of the court in Liberia in order to afford Liberians the opportunity to witness justice. According to him, Amb. Van Schaack also expressed shock at the news that preparations were underway for the establishment of the court in Ghana. She reportedly informed the lawmakers that the United States government had no intention of taking the tribunal to Ghana.
FrontPageAfrica further gathered that the Liberian lawmakers pushed for international resources that would make the court operate at an international standard.
Meeting VP Koung
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung two weeks ago received Dr. Van Schaack at his office on Capitol Hill.
The meeting, according to a release from the office of the vice president, focused on the progress being made in the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
The delegation expressed satisfaction with Liberia’s peaceful transfer of power and improvement of its democratic credentials.
Madam Van Schaack referred to President Boakai’s commitment to the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia in his inaugural address, a statement that she believes resonates with the United States agenda to support Liberia in strengthening the rule of law and eliminating the culture of impunity.
“The court will prosecute major cases based on the gravity of offenses; using Sierra Leone as an inference where nine (9) individuals were prosecuted. The United States Government remains supportive in providing technical and financial assistance for the establishment of the court,” Van Schaack revealed.
In his response, Vice President Koung welcomed the US delegation to Liberia and expressed gratitude to the US government for its continuous support of peace, stability, and national development.
The Vice President emphasized that President Boakai is the Chief Architect of Liberia’s Foreign Policy and is prepared to follow the lead of the President in the interest of the Liberian people.
“I believe in the vision and wisdom of President Boakai and am deeply committed to supporting his agenda for Liberia,” VP Koung told the US delegation.
The Liberian Vice President also stressed that prosecution should be impartial and consultations should be broad-based to avoid selective justice.
The US delegation for Global Criminal Justice is also expected to hold discussions with His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr, President of the Republic of Liberia, and top officials of Government and Civil Society organizations.
