Liberia’s Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), is learning from the experience of the Republic of Rwanda as it pushes for the establishment of war crimes court to hold accountable those accused of bearing greater responsibilities of war crimes during Liberia’s fratricidal civil war.
Currently, a five-member Liberian delegation headed by Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director of OWECC-L is in Rwanda on a study and engagement mission aimed at strengthening transitional justice initiatives, especially the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia. The mission is also provide the delegation opportunity to learn from Rwanda’s post-genocide accountability process.
The visit is also intended to gain additional knowledge on Rwanda’s experience in establishing judicial mechanisms that prosecuted individuals responsible for genocide and other serious crimes against humanity, a statement said.
The Rwandan visit was organized through the collaborative efforts of Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. As part of the mission, the delegation will also engage Liberian students and members of the Liberian community residing in Rwanda and other parts of the region.
During their stay, the delegation will participate in two separate symposia focusing on transitional justice, bringing together representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and senior government representatives in Rwanda to exchange experiences and discuss best practices in promoting justice, accountability, and reconciliation.
The delegation includes Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director of OWECC-L Atty. Vivian Neal, Head of Gender and Youth Development; Peter K. Sonyah, representing victims’ groups; and Edmond Karmei, Officer-in-Charge of the Bomi County Regional Office, who also was schooled in Rwanda.
The visit forms part of OWECC-L’s ongoing public outreach and stakeholders’ engagement, which seeks to educate Liberians about the Office’s mandate and ongoing efforts toward the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court.
“Rwanda, which has confronted the legacy of mass atrocities through judicial and institutional reforms, will help inform Liberia’s own transitional justice process as the country continues efforts to address past human rights violations and strengthen the rule of law”, Dr. Barbu is quoted as saying.
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