The debate for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in the country has become contentious issue in the country which has generated irking debate that has becomes more prickly when Liberia’s traditional ally, the United States of America strongly condemned the election of persons deemed to have questionable characters to two important legislative committees on Security, Defense and Intelligence, and on Judiciary, Claims and Petition and Human Rights. Amidst the controversies attending the call for the court against impunity, which has gained overwhelming support, especially from opposition cycles, the leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, Jr. joined the debate when he indicates that “the careless and irresponsible attitude of the Liberian Government is being exposed under the George Weah-led Government;” The Analyst reports.
In a live broadcast on ending impunity in Liberia last evening, Mr. Cummings said placing individuals above the law, and the practice of the culture of impunity are practices that have kept us backward for far too long and one that have equally militated support the establishment of a war crimes court, and a court on economic crimes in the country.
The Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, Jr. who made this statement also indicates that the careless and irresponsible attitude of the Liberian Government is being exposed under the George Weah-led Government where Liberia continues to be internationally disgraced, shamed and laughed at.
Mr. Cummings’ further said “We have all seen what it means for our country to breakdown and become lawless.”
The ANC leader pointed out that Liberia therefore does not need to wait and be reminded to do the things she needs to do to build a more just society that will punish crimes, the only way he believes the society can truly be law-abiding.
“Placing individuals above the law, and not holding each other fully accountable for crimes, are practices that have kept us backward for far too long. This is why I support the establishment of a war crimes court, and a court on economic crimes. This is why I support the establishment of a war crimes court, and a court on economic crimes,” he commenced his statement.
The ANC presidential hopeful maintained that giving people justice and ending impunity are not issues over which any responsible government ought to wait to be publicly chastised by international partners, adding that these are things responsible governments do to cleanse the soul of a nation, and to keep countries secure, stable and peaceful.
However, he said it is hard to stop stealing in government when the people who should be stopping the stealing, and setting the good examples by not stealing, are actually the rogues. “It is also hard to punish anyone for crimes, however bad, when the leaders are looking for special favors from the criminals, or are themselves, benefiting from the crimes,” he asserted.
According to him, “Whether it is done by Presidents or Ministers – whether it is done by a friend, opposition, or relative – stealing from the people is wrong. We cannot continue to pretend that one day, stealing in government will stop by itself. We have to stop it ourselves, because as we continue to see, it is keeping too many of our people poor.”
Mr. Cummings continued that be it done by whomever, whether by warlords or presidents, killing innocent people, mysteriously or in the name of war, is also wrong. To stop it, we must investigate seriously and punish anyone involved.
Exclaiming that “Enough is enough,” the ANC strongman noted, “We must stop the stealing in government. We must stop the looting of our country.”
He said Liberians must stop the killing of innocent people, and also pointed out that Liberia must end impunity for crimes, must become a more just and safer society. “I feel very strongly about this, and I know that we can do it,” he added.
“Placing individuals above the law, and not holding each other fully accountable for crimes, are practices that have kept us backward for far too long,” he accentuated, while noting that for this .he supports the establishment of a war crimes court, and a court on economic crimes.
He explained that these courts will help the people find justice for victims; hopefully, they will lay painful memories of loved ones, and innocent souls to deserved eternal rests.
“I believe they will also lift the weight off the shoulders of accused persons who believe themselves to be innocent or wrongly accused. A court is not just a place to seek punishment. It is a place to find truth, to award justice, and to set the innocent or wrongly accused, free,” he said.
These courts, he maintained, importantly will also help in healing the people, reconcile them and will allay their fear and not continue to live in fear of each other.
And especially for a court on economic crimes, Mr. Cummings believes it ought not to be limited to only the commission of economic crimes during the war but that it must have jurisdictions to deal with current and future economic crimes such as stealing from the people, and passing deals that cheats Liberia and Liberians.
He expressed the conviction finally, that establishing these courts are not easy as there are many questions to be answered, furthering, “Public opinions and concerns differ. Lawyers tell me there are a lot of things we will need to do.”
He reemphasized his support to the establishment of war and economic crime courts, and declared, “But I have always supported the establishments of these courts because I believe it is the right thing to do for our country. It will help us to change for the better, and to be more accountable to each other.
He stressed that turning a blind eye to crimes in the name of peace will give us no peace, and noted “that even if it is hard – even if it scares us – we must find the way to do it. We must also find the help we will need to do it so that in the end, the people must do it for themselves, and for their children.
“We have to change, if we will become a country that will give justice fairly and blindly to all who seek it. From rape and the acceptance of bribes by judges and other public officials to crimes against humanity and stealing from the Liberian people, we must be a country that will hold everyone accountable,” Mr. Cummings said.
He pointed out that when Liberians do this, “our children and their children will live in a more just, peaceful, prosperous and reconciled society than we have today,” concluding, we owe this to ourselves and our children.
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