The Liberian senate supported the creation of a war crimes court on Tuesday in an effort to finally provide victims of grave violations during the two civil wars in the West African nation with justice.
The resolution was put out by President Joseph Boakai and supported by legislators during a vote in Liberia’s lower house last month.
With the support of 27 of the 29 senators, it passed a second vote in the Senate on Tuesday. It is now up to Boakai to provide his own final approval.
Activists and civil society organizations that have demanded greater accountability for crimes committed during the two civil wars that occurred between 1989 and 2003 have praised the action.
In conflicts involving rape, killings, and the deployment of child soldiers, almost 250,000 people died.
Subsequently, a Truth and Reconciliation Committee demanded the establishment of a special court to try those thought to be accountable, but until Boakai’s election last year, no significant steps were done.
With support from global organizations like the UN, the court would function in Liberia in accordance with international norms once it was operational. Economic offenses will also be handled by it.
Some in Liberia are against its development, arguing that it could weaken the amnesty law that was already in place and cause old grievances to resurface. This helped put a stop to the violence.
(Reuters)
