-Hails Pres. Weah for seeking international support for war & Economic Crimes Court
A new group has been formed in Liberia aimed at promoting an end to the culture of impunity in Africa’s oldest independent Republic.
Named the ‘No Impunity’ Movement, organizers of the group say it is “a mass based citizens’ group” and it is headed by Mr. Adolphus Kawah.
In a press statement, the movement welcomed President George M. Weah’s decision to solicit global support for the establishment of war and economic crimes court in Liberia.
The group over the weekend further declared President Weah as Liberia’s ‘No Impunity Hero’, pending a formal induction ceremony of the Liberian leader.
The ‘No Impunity’ Movement termed the President’s action at the UNGA as an act of intuitive leadership unprecedented, as well as a bodacious step of a selfless leader to ensure justice for war victims and deterrence against reoccurrence.
The National Chairman of the ‘No Impunity’ Movement, Kawah said, unlike the past regime, which for twelve years failed to muster the courage of elevating said discussion at the UNGA, President Weah has demonstrated a true sense of nationalism, putting aside personal interest and considering the greater good of the people of Liberia.
According to Mr. Kawah, the Liberian leader’s call is in consonance with the ‘No Impunity’ Movement’s mantra that NEVER AGAIN will people perpetrate war and economic crimes against the people and go with impunity.
The ‘No Impunity’ Movement’s National Chairman further stated that the Liberian leader deserves an even greater honor because since the TRC in 2009 recommended the establishment of a special court to prosecute crimes committed during the war in Liberia.
It said that call was never heeded and Liberia has not prosecuted a single person for the grave crimes committed during its two armed conflicts; not until now that President Weah, has begun taking practical and significant steps towards the establishment of said court.
The group believes that never again must victims be denied justice, while their perpetrators parade in affluence and power.
The ‘No Impunity’ Movement says that Liberia’s civil wars (from 1989-1996 and 1999-2003) were characterized by widespread and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws; as such, those who bear the greater burden of the elongated violence must be brought to justice in order to set precedence against any reoccurrence.