By H Matthew Turry
MONROVIA – In an effort to advocate for legal reforms in legislative instruments, the Center for Legal Aid Support Services (CLASS), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Liberia, over the weekend concluded a two-day consultation session aimed at empowering media institutions and civil society organizations (CSOs) through capacity building to actively engage in legislative processes and advocate for legal reforms.
The workshop, held from January 9-10, 2025 at a local hotel in Monrovia, focuses on legislative engagement, law-making procedures, and the advocacy for three pivotal pending bills
The three bills include Legal Aid Service (LSC) Act, the Liberia Corrections Service (LCS) Act, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act.
The first day of the event brought together 43 journalists from various media institutions, including the Analyst newspaper, followed by the second day session that also brought together over 35 civil society organizations including the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR), along with legal and legislative experts who shared insights on law-making processes at the Liberian Legislature.
Giving the overview of the session, CLASS Chief Executive Officer, Atty. George N. King emphasized the importance of mobilizing expertise and influence of national actors, such as media institutions and CSOs.
He highlighted that the workshop was part of a larger strategy to engage the Legislature on law reforms, amendments, and the creation of new laws that will protect the safety and security of the Liberian people.
“This initiative seeks to harness the experiences and resources of national actors such as the media and CSOs to develop practical strategies for engaging the Liberian Legislature on key reforms,” he added.
The legal CSO boss noted: “We have called you here today to be a part of a broader campaign to demystify law-making processes, whether they are easy or challenging. We want to hear your stories, your challenges, and your successes in navigating these processes.”
The CLASS CEO also highlighted the significance of the three pending bills being promoted by CLASS.
“The Legal Aid Service Act aims to diversify legal services in Liberia by providing specialized training for non-lawyers to undertake roles such as legal investigation, rights advocacy, and case management,” he explained.
Showing lights on the Liberia Corrections Service Act, Atty. King stated that the proposed legislation seeks to transform the Bureau of Correction and Rehabilitation into a semi-autonomous agency, similar to the Liberia Immigration Service and Liberia Fire Service.
He noted that this would enhance the security and protection of both convicted prisoners and pre-trial detainees, ensuring better oversight and management of correctional facilities.
Regarding the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, CLASS boss argued that the proposed legislation offers an effective mechanism for conflict resolution beyond the courts.
“The courts are expensive and time-consuming,” he emphasized. “This law presents a better alternative for resolving disputes, fostering peace in communities, and supporting national development.”
“This platform provides an opportunity to not only strengthen our collective understanding of legislative processes but also to advocate for reforms that reflect the interests and aspirations of the Liberian people,” he said.
Participants also benefited from the expertise of facilitators including Folley Kawah, Executive Director for Defence for Children at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Kawah emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent and direct engagement with lawmakers to keep legislative proposals alive.
“Legislators are busy people,” he said. “It is critical to maintain constant communication through meetings, phone calls, and reminders to ensure that proposed bills remain a priority.”
For his part, Joseph Cheayan, Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy Action and Development (IDAD), shared his experiences tracking legislative activities during his time at the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD).
Cheayan highlighted the dominance of the Executive Branch over the national budget, which often tilts the balance of power in the government.
He stressed the need for robust monitoring systems to hold lawmakers accountable and promote transparency.
During the event Facilitator Robert Myers, a Legislative Research Analyst at the Liberian Senate, pointed to challenges in the legislative process, noting that many lawmakers do not read legislative instruments thoroughly, which can hinder the passage of important bills.
He stressed the importance of coordination with sponsors and co-sponsors of bills and overcoming bureaucratic obstacles within the legislature
CLASS’s workshop was aimed to deepen understanding of legislative processes and equip participants with tools to advocate effectively for the passage of the three proposed bills.
Some participants suggested that CLASS establish a Steering Committee to tackle specific thematic areas in engaging the legislature, a committee would help coordinate efforts and ensure that advocacy strategies are focused and effective.
The workshop represented a significant step in the institution’s broader campaign to reform Liberia’s legal system and improve access to justice for all citizens.
By raising awareness of the law-making process and involving key stakeholders, it hopes to build momentum to pass critical legal reforms bills.
As the event concludes on Friday, attendees are expected to consolidate insights gained and establish a roadmap for engaging lawmakers on these critical legislative instruments.
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