Liberia: towards the creation of a special court to judge the crimes of civil wars?
In Liberia, victims have been demanding this for more than 20 years: the creation of a special court to judge the perpetrators of the crimes of the civil wars which left more than 250,000 dead.
The Liberian Parliament passed a motion to this effect, raising the hope of Liberians of finally being able to witness justice on their soil.
Women sit outside a house in the village of Yandohun, in northern Liberia, where a group of Finnish judges began a tour to collect testimony in the first trial against a warlord accused of committing crimes. atrocities during the country's civil war.
February 18, 2021. AFP - EMMANUEL TOBEY
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Until now, foreign courts have been responsible for prosecuting former warlords.
Paris is currently trying former rebel commander Kunti Kamara on appeal.
Now that task could fall to
Liberia
itself, thanks to the motion passed Tuesday, which fuels both hope and doubt.
Human rights activist Maxson Kpakio has been waiting for the creation of such a jurisdiction since 2009. In that year, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published a report recommending the prosecution of perpetrators of crimes against humanity. .
Recommendation remained a dead letter.
With the motion adopted by the Liberian Parliament, hope of justice is reborn for Maxson Kpakio, who lost his uncle during the first civil war, in the Lofa region, one of the most martyred regions.
“
One of the warring factions tried to recruit my uncle, but he refused.
He said his religion did not allow him to kill
, says Maxson Kpakio.
They tied him up, blindfolded him and tortured him.
They put him in boiling water and that's how he was killed, simply because he refused to participate in the war.
»
He was 16 when his uncle was tortured and killed by the Ulimo rebel group.
He says he is ready to go to any lengths to obtain justice: “
I still feel the pain of my uncle's death today.
Until I get justice, until I can stand in court and ask the person responsible "why did you do that
?", I will not know peace.
And many people were massacred in my district of Foya, in the Lofa region.
My soul will not rest in peace until people pay the price for their crimes.
»
A legal framework to be clarified
Liberia has never convicted any of its executioners.
Most former warlords occupy key positions, fueling the feeling of impunity.
If Parliament takes a step towards justice, Oscar Bloh, lawyer, has his doubts: “
The law must be clear: what will be the jurisdiction of this court?
Will it be composed of Liberian judges or international judges?
What about witness protection?
Liberia is about to undertake an enormous task and we must ensure that the legal framework is compliant.
»
The motion must now be debated by the Senate before being sent to President
Joseph Boakai
.
The latter had promised to fight against impunity during his electoral campaign.
A prospect doubted by analysts, due to his proximity to the powerful warlord and senator, Prince Johnson.
Also read: In Liberia, the absence of justice haunts the victims of civil wars [1/3]
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