PHOTO: Stakeholder ends dialogue on Legal issues
By Tokpa Tarnue- tarnue82@gmail.com
VOINJAMA, Liberia- A day-long stakeholder’s engagement on legal issues in Lofa County has advanced several recommendations to promote people access to justice across the County.
The forum brought together fifteen stakeholders from the traditional council, Liberia national police, the judiciary, students and the civil society organizations, among others. And it was organized by a non-governmental organization “Camp for Peace Liberia” with support from the Carter Center.
According an official of Camp for Peace Liberia (CFP), it is part of a Carter Center funded project titled ‘Community Justice Advisors” and implemented by Camp for Peace Liberia in seven of the eleven administrative districts of Lofa County
The project, which The Carter Center supports, seeks to positively interact with government officials, courts, and traditional authorities; apply alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and advocate for justices.
It also seeks to ensure that vulnerable citizens’ rights, legal protection, and psychological well-being are enhanced.
He told the gathering that the project is also boosting coordination and build bonds between community members on one hand and actors of the Criminal Justice System (CJS), on the other hand, thus strengthening the social cohesion of citizens in Lofa County.
The Camp for Peace official, Mr. Tarnue further indicated that the Liberian Access to Justice will provide essential information to community members and actors of the CJS concerning the criminal justice system, its operation, and any commonly used laws to promote fundamental human rights.
According to him, the project provides civic awareness of citizens’ legal rights and the value of holding justice actors accountable in Lofa County.
“The project aims to identify at least 86% of open cases or more from relevant justice institutions and the community for community dispute or alternative dispute resolutions, mediation, and litigation for increased transparency and accountability in the justice sector” he disclosed.
The organization during the dialogue informed the stakeholders about both successes as well as challenges since the launched of the project back in February 2021 to present.
“Prevalent amongst cases tracked since the start of the project in the county includes, action of debt 114, Child Support 90 and Loving Problem 59.
Following the presentation by Camp for Peace, stakeholders attending the dialogue recommended stronger punishment for man who are said to be in the habit of neglecting their children with their mother for other relationships and refusing to provide support for these children.
The participants also called on individuals or institutions that are involved in giving out credits to ensure that proper collateral is also provided by those wanting to credit before funds are given out to them and that there be the provision of more support to the Camp for Peace by the Carter Center to create what they called massive awareness on the rule of laws to the citizens with emphasis on herd to reach communities across the county amongst several others.
Meanwhile, the Carter Center Project Officer assigned to the county Sumo Kupe thanked the stakeholders for their active participation during the day-long dialogue.
He said the recommendations from the stakeholders will be given key attention to ensuring that all citizens can have access to the justice regardless of their status in society.