By: Archie Boan
A coalition of leading international and Liberian human rights organizations has issued a strong call for urgent action to establish a war crimes court in Liberia, warning that decades of delayed justice must now give way to “concrete action.”
The joint statement backed by groups including Human Rights Watch, Global Justice and Research Project, Civitas Maxima, Center for Justice and Accountability, Global Justice Center, The Advocates for Human Rights, and the Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia was delivered during the 61st regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The statement coincided with the adoption of Liberia’s outcome under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on March 18, 2026, where the country accepted key recommendations aimed at addressing atrocities committed during its civil wars.
Human rights advocates described Liberia’s acceptance of these recommendations as a “significant and welcome step” toward long-overdue accountability for serious international crimes. Central among these is the long-discussed establishment of a war and economic crimes court, alongside full implementation of recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
According to the Working Group report, Liberia has already initiated preliminary steps, including the creation of an office to support the court’s establishment and a formal request for technical assistance from the United Nations. However, advocates stress that these early measures must now be followed by decisive implementation.
“To fulfil the UPR recommendations it has accepted, Liberia should now advance decisively without delay toward operationalizing the court,” the joint statement emphasized.
Draft legislation to establish the court has reportedly been prepared through collaboration between the government and civil society actors.
Stakeholders are now calling for sustained cooperation to finalize a legal framework that aligns with international standards and best practices.
The organizations also underscored the importance of inclusive public consultations particularly with victims and communities directly affected by the civil wars warning that legitimacy and credibility will depend on meaningful participation.
In addition, the coalition urged Liberia and its international partners to mobilize adequate financial and technical resources to ensure the court’s independence and effectiveness. Key priorities include fair-trial guarantees, robust witness protection mechanisms, and a survivor-centered approach that addresses gender-specific harms.
Beyond prosecutions, the statement highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive reparations program for victims of gross human rights violations, in line with recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
For many survivors who have waited more than two decades for justice, the message from global advocates is clear: the time for promises has passed.
As Liberia emerges from its latest UPR cycle, the international community says the country now faces a defining moment one that will determine whether years of commitments finally translate into meaningful justice for victims of war crimes.
