Exiled Liberian Youth Activist, Luther Blayee Tarpeh, is calling on the Liberian Senate to immediately concur with the House of Representatives, on the recent Resolution passed by over 40 members of the Lower House for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) for Liberia.
According to him, the establishment of the WECC is long overdue, something he emphasized, Liberians have over the years, deeply yearned for; but unfortunately, the Liberian Senate is dragging her feet to pass, despite political will being shown by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
“We call on the Senate to no longer stall the passage of the resolution calling for the establishment of this Court. Because similar situation also occurred under former President George Weah’s administration, similar resolution was passed by over 50 members of the Lower House; but it did not get to pass because of the existence of several warlords in the Legislature,” he recounted.
He continued: “Is time and now that the Liberian Senate concurs with their colleagues in order for the President to sign into law, this Bill that will ensure the justice Liberians have long-yearned for is actualized.”
According to him, if the Senate doesn’t pass this resolution, he will organized the Liberian people to issue a petition to the United States Congress and Government to issue further sanction on members of the Liberian Senate who are stalling the passage of such landmark Bill; because justice for the victims of Liberia’s brutal civil unrest as well as economic crimes cannot be overemphasized.
Tarpeh also frowned at recent threatening statement made by two Liberian Senators and former warlords, opposing the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.
The vote for the establishment of WECC is the first step towards trying perpetrators of human rights violations and what the resolution terms “economic crimes” during two civil wars which left an estimated 250,000 people dead between 1989 and 2003.
While Liberia’s bloody conflicts resulted in massacres, mutilation, rape, cannibalism and the forced recruitment of child soldiers, no trial has yet been held inside the country.
“The resolution has been passed, and justice for the Liberian people has finally arrived,” said Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, Speaker of the House of Representatives said after the vote.
However, Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson has said that establishing a war crimes court will disrupt the peace in Liberia. “No, it doesn’t scare me, it worries me because it may disrupt our peace.”
Also, former Liberian warlord turned Senator, Thomas Yaya Nimely, has sounded a caveat to President Boakai to suspend his pursuit for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia; especially during the initial stage of his government, and should rather concentrate on finding solutions to issues confronting the nation and its citizens.
Senator Nimely was the Founder of the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), a rebel group which ousted and forced into exile former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor.
In another development, Activist Tarpeh is admonishing President Boakai to adhere to the rule of law by respecting the Constitution and laws. According to him, the illegal removal of tenure officials from their position when their tenure have not expired, is a travesty of justice and flagrant disrespect to the rule of law President Boakai choose to protect.
“Any country that doesn’t conform to the rule of law is not ready for development. Therefore, by President appointing people to position still enjoying tenures by other Liberians, is a violation of the Constitution and other laws establishing these institution.
Meanwhile, Activist Tarpeh is urging the Legislature to review all Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs) and concessions, to ensure these companies live up to their agreements.
He also called on both the Legislature and Executive to ensure full compliance and adherence to these concession agreements in order for the various companies operating in the country to meet all their corporate social responsibilities.
