-Reinforces call for War and Economic Courts in Liberia
By Mark N. Mengonfia,mmenginfia@gmail.com
The President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe has reinforced calls for the establishment of War and Economic crimes Court in Liberia.
“I have always called for the establishment of Way and Economic crimes because I believe that people should account for their wrong doings,” the LNBA president said.
“Any society where impunity is allowed, you cannot have a culture of peace and reconciliation,” Cllr. Gongloe said in an exclusive interview with the Reporter in Monrovia recently.
Liberia’s 14 years of civil war, which officially ended in 2003, left some 250,000 people killed, according to United Nations estimate. Also, thousands of others were wounded.
The LNBA President said the establishment of such court is going to ensure that those who perpetrated violence against humans during the civil unrest account for their doings.
The prominent Liberian Lawyer was asked about the constant rejection of the War crimes court by his kinsman, former warlord and now Senator Prince Y. Johnson and whether has reached out to Senator Johnson to have some discussions before requesting the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.
But Cllr. Gongloe replied: “He has rights to his view and I too have. I do not need to reach him before call for the establishment of the War Crimes court in Liberia.
The Liberia Bar President also indicated that the Liberian constitution provides the opportunity in Article 15, which says that everyone’s right to free speech but must be fully responsible for the abuse thereof.
Cllr. Gongloe further said that the Bar Association is preparing the legislation that will be presented to members of Liberia’s Legislature for onwards processing and approval by the Lawmakers and President George Weah.