As Justice For Victims Continues To Be Elusive
PHOTO: Participants in group photo at the one-day dialogue organized by the LCC & Presbyterian Church, USA
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) in collaboration with the Presbyterian Church, United States has ended a one-day dialogue about historical harm and reparation in Monrovia.
The dialogue, held under the theme: “Historical Harm, Reparation and Orientation: Back to the Future” discussed the efforts aimed at the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), establishing of war crimes court and the holding of elections free of violence.
Despite massive war crimes and crimes committed in the Liberia civil war which caused the killings of some 250,000 people, perpetrators are yet to be brought to book with no reparation for thousands of war victims, 20 years after the conflict officially ended in 2003.
Speaking at the program marking the end of the dialogue, the Co-Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the United States stressed the need for more discussions in order to determine the way through which Christian community in the United States can assist the LCC in meeting some of the challenges aimed at serving justice for the victims in the Liberian civil war.
Reverend Sharon Starling-Lewis welcomed the discussion between the Presbyterian Church, USA and expressed the hope that of working on some of what was discussed, what reparation looks like in Liberia and their desire can look like as developing country.
She added that her delegation was very appreciative, because the valuable thing they can offer is the testimonies and the stories that are been told at the dialogue.
“The fact that we have been able to pray together, dream together and share our vision about what can be done ,” she said; adding: “we will continue to hold discussion and seek God’s guidance in whatever direction this will lead us.”
Revered Starling-Lewis assured the Liberia Council of Churches of the Presbyterian Church in the USA advocacies so as to seek support for some of the dream of the council
For his party, the General Secretary of the Liberia Council Churches, Reverend Christopher Toe, appealed to the Presbyterian Church of the United States for assistance in implementing many of its programs.
He said the visit of the Presbyterian Church, USA comes at the time it is mostly needed because Liberia is heading to presidential and legislative elections.
“We are discussing about the whole issue about the TRC report,” he said; adding: “we have just signed a memorandum of understanding with CSOs on a joint action on the whole issue on the implementation of which reparation is a component.”
According to him, they also raised the issue of memoralization of people killed as a result of the Liberian civil war because this is an issue that has not been touched which the council wants to bring to the government that is bad for this country.
“Generations growing up without seeing any respect for the dead and this brings in the question about what is the likelihood of them respecting the dead, there is also a possibility of continues conflict.
Speaking earlier, LCC President, Reverend Doctor Samuel Reeves, who is also the President of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, thanked the Presbyterian Church, USA for supporting the dialogue.
Other members of the Presbyterian Church USA eight-man delegation were Reverend Doctor Jermaine Ross Allam, Director, Center for the Repair Historical Harm; Miss Dayna Oliver,, Associate for International Program Administration; and Dr. Elder Dianna Wright, Moderator , Ecumenical and Inter Religious Relations.
Others were Rev Joshua D Heikkila, Regional Liaison, West Africa; Rev Cheryl Barnes, Africa Area Coordinator; among others
The dialogue was graced Reverend Samuel Qiure, Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference, United Methodist Church; First Vice President, LCC and Reverend Sanjee Abioseh Stepter, Second Vice President, LCC
The dialogue, which was held at the conference room of the Liberia Council of Churches, was graced by a cross session of the representatives from the National Muslim Council of Liberia, the Civil Society Organizations, women and youth groups, students, among many others.