Liberia: Video Appeal for War Crimes Court

(Monrovia, May 14, 2019) – Liberian citizens called on President George Weah in a video released today by an array of local and international groups to support a war crimes court to bring justice for atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil wars. On May 15, 2019, Liberia’s Independent National Human Rights Commission will hold a conference to assess progress on the recommendations made by Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which operated between 2006 and 2009, recommended creating a war crimes court – the Extraordinary Criminal Court for Liberia – to try those responsible for grave crimes committed during Liberia’s armed conflicts from 1986-96 and 1999-2003. That recommendation has never been carried out, and no one implicated in abuses has been prosecuted in Liberian courts.

“This video is an emotional appeal from Liberians for President Weah to back a war crimes court,” said Adama Dempster, on behalf of the Secretariat for the Establishment of a War Crimes Court in Liberia. “We hope that President Weah watches the video and acts in the interests of justice for the citizens of Liberia who are crying out for justice to be served.”