Monrovia, Liberia — Efforts to advance justice and accountability in Liberia has gained renewed momentum this week as representatives of the country’s human rights community formally presented proposed amendments to the Liberian Senate’s bill seeking to establish a War Crimes Court.
The submission was led by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), joined by civil society organizations, victims’ groups, transitional justice advocates, and youth representatives. Their proposal, titled “An Act to Establish a Special War Crimes Tribunal for Liberia,” contains 36 pages of recommendations drawn from international war-crimes statutes designed to guide Liberia’s accountability process.
Members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights received the document during a ceremony at the Capitol. Present were Committee Chair Senator Augustine Chea, Co-Chair Senator Joseph K. Jallah, along with Senators Albert Chea, Simon Taylor, and Emmanuel Nuquay.
Human rights advocate and commissioner Cllr. Adama Dempster, on his official Facebook page, praised the collaborative effort behind the submission, extending thanks to the INCHR, victims and survivors’ groups, women transitional-justice experts, and youth organizations. He emphasized that pursuing justice for wartime atrocities requires broad national participation.
“The fight for justice is just one; no single group or institution can do it alone,” he noted, describing the engagement with lawmakers as constructive and encouraging.
Advocates say the proposal marks another significant step in long-standing efforts to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil conflicts. As discussions move forward in the Senate, supporters maintain that establishing a tribunal is essential to ensuring justice for victims and strengthening the rule of law.
“Justice is not far,” Dempster said, expressing optimism about the process ahead.
