War victims demand court in Liberia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Frontpageafricaonline
Hundreds of victims and survivors of Liberia’s civil wars demonstrated to demand the adoption of a law creating a court for war crimes and economic crimes. Parliamentary complaints committee chairman Prince Toles promised to submit the bill to lawmakers on Tuesday, reports FrontPage Africa.
Hundreds of victims and survivors of Liberia’s civil wars demonstrated on Thursday outside the office responsible for setting up a jurisdiction for war crimes, before going to Parliament to demand the adoption of the law establishing the court. Prince Toles, chairman of the parliamentary complaints and petitions committee, pledged to present the matter in plenary on Tuesday, according to FrontPageAfrica, which cited New Narratives.
The demonstrators, including people with disabilities, rural women, older people, young people, and traditional and religious leaders, temporarily disrupted the office’s operations. They held placards demanding justice for atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil wars.
Liberia aims to establish a National Anti-Corruption Court by November 2026. But bills establishing that court and a court for war crimes and economic crimes remain pending before lawmakers. Organisers said House of Representatives leaders had confirmed, at a subsequent meeting, Prince Toles’s commitment.
Korpo Dennis, president of the Women in Peacebuilding Network, asked President Joseph Boakai to respond to the victims and revive the matter. She criticised him for not mentioning the creation of the court at the United Nations General Assembly, as he had pledged to do, according to FrontPageAfrica.
