By our Reporter
Dubbed “The Black Rally of Justice,” a group of human rights and justice activists and groups are planning to hold a rally in Monrovia next month to petition the House of Representatives for the setting up of a war and economics crimes court in Liberia.
Liberia’s 14-year civil war that killed some 250,000 people ended nearly 15 years ago back in 2003. But to date none of the warlords and perpetrators of the carnage has been brought to book.
According to a communication the pro-war crimes advocates published on a specially created portal, , “On May 8, 2018 Liberians will gather and assemble at the Capitol Building to Petition the House of Representatives for establishment of the War and Economics Crimes Court in Liberia.”
The consortium organizing campaign, including former Montserrado County District Number 9 Representative candidate, Fubbi Franklin Henries said that event will be followed up on May 22, 2018.
“We are not accepting NO as an option! People are still living with the Trauma of: Gang Rape, Mass Murder, Amputation, Lost of Property, Drug abuse as a result of kids being forced to hold Arms and drugged to kill, child abuse, Drop-outfrom schools, parents and children being forced to have sex in public, pregnant women being killed as a result of rebels wanting to know the gender of the children they had in their womb, Unwanted pregnancies, prostitution, and mental disorder as a result of losing family members instantly due to bombs explosions,” the pro war crimes and economic crimes court advocates said.
In 2010, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Liberia released its findings and recommendation after a few years of investigating the root causes of the country’s brutal civil war, recommending prosecution for former warlords and those who bear the greatest responsibilities for the atrocities.
“The Cry for Justice is sounding louder and loudest by the day! We cannot pretend not to hear and see it on the faces of people. It is not too late for Justice to be served! Now is the time!” the pro-war crimes advocates have said.
During her visit to Liberia in March this year, United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed called on the CDC-led government of President George Weah to implement the TRC report.