‘Barely 24 hours after the leadership of the Liberian senate came up with a response to the request from President George Manneh Weah on the issue of setting up of a War Crime Court, two of its members have publicly condemned the decision and called upon other members to meet in plenary to take a stand against it.
The two senators, Mr. Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County and Madam Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence of Grand Bassa County and political leader of the Liberty Party, made their respective reactions known through their official social media pages.
Senator Dillon, who goes by the name THE LIGHT by his admirers for flagging out some sensitive issues in the upper chambers was the first to fire up his objection and described the move by his colleagues as SICKENING. Taking to his official Facebook page, the Montserrado County Lawmaker wrote,
“SICKENING!!! The “Position” released today by MAJORITY Members of the Leadership of the Senate regarding the TRC/War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia is rather sad and troubling. It simply seeks to kill the hopes of millions of Liberians home and abroad in our search, desire and demand for establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia to end the culture of impunity”.
“In the interest of transparency and accountability, the full SENATE IN PLENARY must have a RETHINK and vote AGAINST the undesirable “Position” of MAJORITY of the Leadership that was issued today. We must sustain the fight and help bring justice in favor of victims of such heinous crimes perpetrated and committed against them and our country. No other way around it!!” the Senator said.
For her part, Senator Lawrence, whose name was placed on the communication but refused to sign when the document was sent to the President, said her refusal to sign the document was a demonstration of her commitment and support for the establishment of a war and economic crime court for the country.
“My deliberate REFUSAL to sign the “Position” of majority members of the Leadership of the Senate issued yesterday, is a public affirmation of my firm commitment and support for the establishment of a war and economic crime court for Liberia. Said “Position” seeks to undercut the desire and popular will of the people of Liberia demanding justice for victims against perpetrators of war and economic crimes. I wish to encourage all Senators IN SESSION to vote down the “Position”; we must vote to ensure justice as a way of ending the culture of impunity that has permeated our society for decades”, Senator Lawrence said
So far, there has not been any reaction from the senate leadership or any of their other colleagues who may have similar positions on the matter.
Meanwhile, the former ruling Unity Party and a major constituent of the opposition bloc, the CPP has issued its official statement to reaffirm its support for the war and economic crime court.
In a press release signed by Madam Cornelia Kruah-Togba, National Assistant Secretary General for Press, Publicity and Outreach said the former ruling party was adding its own reaction to the decision from the Senate to reaffirm its commitment to the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, in the interest of justice. The Party believes that the establishment of this court will discourage the culture of impunity that currently exists in Liberia.
“The Party further strongly calls on its lawmakers to support and advocate for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court. The UP will seriously frown on any action(s) taken by any of its lawmakers to stall, thwart or contradict the party’s official position on the establishment of the Court in Liberia. All UP lawmakers are encouraged to act in accordance with the decision of the party”, the party said.
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