MONROVIA – Senate President Pro Tempore, Grand Bassa County’s Senator, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence announced Tuesday that members of the Liberian Senate have signed a resolution for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.
Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence believes that a special tribunal to prosecute economic and war-related crimes in Liberia is the beginning of putting impunity to an end in the country.
She disclosed that Twenty-seven (27) senators out of the Twenty-nine (29)-member Senate, affixed their signatures to the document affirming the Liberian Senate’s decision endorsing the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.
Senators, who signed Tuesday’s resolution include two former warlords-turned-senators, Prince Y. Johnson and Thomas Y. Nimely of Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties respectively.
Messrs. Johnson and Ninely were recommended for trial for war crimes, according to the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) final report.
Senate President Pro Tempore Karnga-Lawrence expressed gratitude to senators who based their decision to sign the resolution on the trust they reposed in her leadership ability, also thanking her two other colleagues, who did not sign the resolution, based on the differing views they have concerning the matter.
“We have communicated with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. Fornati Koffa and members of the House of Representatives seeking their concurrence,” Pro-Temp Karnga-Lawrence indicated, adding, “We believe this decision will bring an end to the perception in the public that Members of The Liberian Senate are against establishing war and economic crimes court.”
Weeks ago, members of the House of Representatives unanimously signed a similar document endorsing the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.
