Monrovia – Two key members of the worldwide neighborhood have referred to as on the Liberian authorities to take concrete steps in supporting the functioning of the Workplace of the Warfare and Financial Crimes Courtroom (OWECC), that may result in the institution of the Warfare and Financial Crimes Courtroom (WECC) and the Nationwide Corruption Courtroom (NACC).
Each the Authorities of Sweden and the European Union (EU) confused that accountability and justice stay vital for Liberia’s future, and as such, the operate and actions of the OWECC have to be given the wanted assist.
Talking at a media capacity-building workshop in Monrovia, Swedish Ambassador to Liberia Karl Backéus underscored the necessity for the Authorities of Liberia (GoL) to reveal stronger dedication to the method by offering direct assist to the OWECC.
“We have to see additional steps taken by the federal government of Liberia when it comes to funding and assist to the OWECC. The worldwide neighborhood stays dedicated, however this course of have to be Liberia’s personal,” he famous.
He reaffirmed Sweden’s dedication to supporting Liberia’s state-building program, particularly efforts linked to transitional justice, truth-telling, and human rights protection, however on the problem of the WECC institution, he desires Liberia to take the matter as its personal.
“The worldwide neighborhood stays dedicated to supporting the method. Now we have supplied some assist to the Human Workplace right here and a few went in the direction of the OWECC. Some went in the direction of assist of different transitional justice packages. However it’s for Liberia and it must be Liberia’s personal.”
The Swedish envoy additionally confused the urgent want for correct and fact-based reporting to assist transitional justice efforts in Liberia.
He emphasised that with out the involvement of the media, Liberia’s push for accountability by means of the OWECC would falter.
“With out journalists, there can be no free press. Good, correct, and fact-based reporting is key for accountability and for Liberia to maneuver ahead,” Ambassador Backéus mentioned.
Ambassador Nona Deprez, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Liberia, equally cautioned that whereas the worldwide funding for the court docket can be restricted or not forthcoming, there’s a want for the Liberian authorities to shoulder a lot of the accountability.
The EU diplomat urged the federal government to grab the chance on the United Nationwide Safety Council (UNSC) to boost the profile to request funding for the WECC primarily based on its significance.
Previous to the Boakai administration, the Liberian authorities made little effort to implement the suggestions of the Fact and Reconciliation Fee, which referred to as for the institution of a Warfare and Financial Crimes Courtroom. Nevertheless, with President Boakai’s assist, Govt Order 151 established the workplace tasked with organising the court docket—a milestone growth.
Now, professional–Warfare Crimes Courtroom campaigners and worldwide companions say it’s time to impress assist to completely set up the court docket. They emphasize that efforts should start on the home entrance earlier than in search of help from worldwide companions.
“There can be little worldwide funding, so it must be funded by Liberia,” Ambassador Deprez mentioned.
However on the general, the Head of the EU Delegation craved that GoL interprets its dedication into tangible assist for the OWECC – a vital step towards institution of the Warfare and Financial Crimes Courtroom (WECC) and the Nationwide Corruption Courtroom (NACC).
The Liberia authorities, although allotted US$2M within the 2025 Nationwide Finances in the direction of the assist of actions of the OWECC; nonetheless, a only a pinch of US$368,000 of that quantity has to this point been launched to the Workplace for its operations with the funds 12 months nearing an finish.
Talking additional, she inspired the Liberian media to play an energetic function within the court docket’s outreach and in countering misinformation and disinformation.
Amb. Deprez identified that journalists are important in bridging the hole between the OWECC and communities, together with victims in distant areas.
“Your function as a journalist is essential. These workshops will assist you assist the Workplace of the Warfare and Financial Crimes Courtroom. The media should assist the Workplace of the Warfare and Financial Crimes Courtroom to trace disinformation and assist them interact with distant society.”
The 2-day workshop, organized by New Narratives with assist from the Swedish Worldwide Growth Cooperation Company, aimed to coach main journalists and editors on the basics of worldwide human rights regulation, the mechanisms for establishing a court docket, and learn how to successfully cowl Liberia’s transitional justice course of.
This system additionally sought to teach journalists on the way forward for the Warfare and Financial Crimes Courtroom and the Nationwide Anti-Corruption Courtroom, their jurisdictions, and operational frameworks. Individuals had been geared up with instruments for high-quality, fact-based, and trauma-informed reporting, designed to determine and counter misinformation. Moreover, the workshop aimed to strengthen collaboration between journalists, key stakeholders, and responsibility bearers, enhancing the general protection of Liberia’s transitional justice course of.
