MONROVIA: The Solidarity & Trust for A New Day (STAND), a grassroots movement dedicated to advocating for justice, accountability sees no inclusivity in the process of the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), says the process will not yield better results if proper and adequate consultations are not carried out.
A press release issued yesterday noted that STAND and the rights of marginalized communities in Liberia, expresses concern about the slow pace of the process leading to the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and calls on President Joseph N. Boakai to revive the process, given growing calls for a more open, consultative and participatory process since the appointment of the Executive Director.
A press release says despite the recent support of civil society organizations to the appointment of the Executive Directorship of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi, STAND finds these calls for a more open, consultative and participatory process, and concerns coming from the Liberia National Bar Association, human rights organizations and other stakeholders, to be one of worthy of immediate attention that should not be ignored.
The release intimated that a careful review of the process thus far, the STAND boss intimated, supports the conclusion that the establishment of the WECC Secretariat was not inclusive and adequately consultative.
“To dismiss concerns about a process that evidently lacks extensive consultation and participation is to perhaps further the lukewarm reception being noticed from a significant portion of the international community and partners.
STAND said these observations come after extensive discussions with a cross-section of human rights advocates and civil society actors for a deeper understanding of the contentious issues that will hinder the implementation of the WECC process, if not addressed.
“While STAND applauds President Boakai for taking bold steps to advance the Justice Agenda of the nation – something his recent two predecessors were too timid to do, it would be counterproductive if broad consultations and inclusive participation of all civil society actors, human rights organizations, and international development partners are not considered,” the release said.
The Movement indicated these, evolving issues and mixed reactions arising both locally and internationally, which stem from limited involvement and consultation following the appointment of the Executive Director in that the process of establishing the court, will not yield better results if proper and adequate consultations are carried out.
Civil society, including other human rights groups who are moral guarantors of our peace the process and knowledgeable about these matters should have been given the opportunity to play a much more constructive and meaningful role in the formation of the secretariat, STAND noted, stating that Information available to STAND shows this was not the case.
To address these critical national concerns, and in alignment with international best practices and transparency, STAND recommends a reset of the process leading to the reformation of the Secretariat be considered to cover extensive consultation both locally and internationally.
This, the Civil Society group noted, is a necessary step that will not only preserve the credibility and integrity of the WECC process, but will also help to mobilize national and community support from major stakeholders against any potential resistance.
Secondly, now that a support letter has been sent to the UN, and the implementation process is still in its infancy with plenty of rooms for improvement, STAND appeals to President Boakai to call for a NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE, inviting civil society institutions, human rights organizations, and international stakeholders to meet and deliberate on the way forward.
While STAND volunteers its commitment to work with other stakeholders to break the current impasse, the movement reiterates the need for a NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE where civil society institutions, the Liberia National Bar Association, and human rights organizations can meet, deliberate, and draw up a shortlist of qualified Liberians to be submitted to the President, from which he will make a selection for appointment.
Furthermore, the release quoted STAND as believing that, consistent with transparency and best practices, the establishment of the WECC Secretariat should be done in consultation and collaboration with the office of the UN Human Rights Division in Liberia. “Unless this is done, any such process will be perceived as unilateral and contrary to the collective good,” the release said.
Accordingly, STAND’s requested outlined above relies on the fact that the office of the WECC is part of an independent process and therefore must be seen and perceived as being fiercely independent, not an appendage of the President or the Executive Branch of Government.
The Office of the WECC Secretariat, not being a cabinet position, must be run by an office holder who will be held to a higher standard of quality as explicitly stated in both the Joint Resolution of the National Legislature signed into law by President Boakai, the movement noted.
The Solidarity & Trust for A New Day said “Following this laudable action, the President later issued Executive Order 131 with similar qualifying standards, adding that as such, the appointee must be independent of Executive Powers and certified or qualified based on the requirements of the law.
“Once more, STAND appeals to President Boakai and others involved in this process to please consider the concerns raised [by the civil society group],” the release said, noting that stand therefore reaffirms its call for a NATIONAL CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE.
The Civil Society Movement indicated that it pleads with His Excellency President Joseph N. Boakai to establish an independent process of broad consultation with the International Community and Civil Society organizations, and to be magnanimous in listening to the concerns of the human rights communities, especially the Liberian human rights groups that were part of the relentless efforts in laying the groundwork for the WECC and have for decades been advocating for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.
“For us and the broader Liberian population that has vigorously campaigned, advocated, and long-awaited this War and Economic Crimes Court, we believe this is the opportunity to get it right, and we must not be ashamed to reset when necessary to avoid shattering the hopes of victims for justice, the release signed by STAND Chairman Mulbah K. Morlu concluded.
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