-CENPID Tells Legislators

Local intellectual group, Center for the Promotion of Intellectual Development, CENPID, has acknowledged that the war crimes court bill recently submitted to the National Legislature is a test of Liberia’s commitment for rule of law and fight against the culture of impunity.

CENPID in a very firm statement during the weekend said the latest move by President Boakai marks a decisive moment in Liberia’s post-war trajectory and a step that puts it closer to addressing post-conflict impunity after years of advocacy, delays and political hesitation on the issue of transitional justice, a matter it said is at the center of national debates.

The intellectual group noted that by responding to the long standing calls from victims and survivals, civil society actors, transitional justice campaigners and international partners for accountability on war and colonic crimes committed 1979-2003, is the beginning of the national test that would reinforce democratic commitment, signaling that no one is above the law.

CENPID calls on members of the National Legislature to put victims and survivals first and pass into law a court that would be independent, credible and accessible to the Liberian people.

“The focus has now shifted to the Legislature; we need transparent hearings, wider public consultations with justice and transitional justice actors, so as to pursue through law and not just politics,” says Alfred F. Quayjandii, senior moderator of CENPID.

The intellectual group said it and other civil society groups have the roles to shape the next stage of the campaign associated with transitional justice issues through national civic education initiatives for greater citizens understanding and participation in the process.

The War and Economic Crimes Courts are a TRC Report recommendation submitted in 2009 to the government of Liberia for onward implementation, the CENPID’s statement concluded.