Urges Civil Society And Human Rights Groups To Rally Support For Justice
By Kelvin Gonlah, gonlahkelvin1995@gmail.com
The Students Unification Party (SUP) has welcomed the appointment of Cllr. Johnathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court by President Joseph Boakai.
At a news conference on the UL Capitol Hill campus on Monday, SUP called on Civil Society and Human Rights Groups to Rally Support in the Fight for Justice for War and Economic Crimes Victims in Liberia to close the gap of impunity.
President Boakai recently nominated Cllr. Massaquoi to the post, after issuing Executive Order 131 on May 2, 2024, establishing the office of War and economic crimes Courts with the sole responsibility of pursuing and prosecuting warlords who have been identified as having committed crimes in Liberia acts amounting and constituting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This decision comes after many years of consistent struggles by the Liberian people to put an end to impunity and other rights groups in Liberia have since demanded the prosecution of all those warlords believed to bear greater responsibility for the civil and economic atrocities committed in Liberia.
According to SUP, they have been one of the most powerful voices in the fight for war and economic crimes court and one of those institutions that have held the highest number of rallies to both local and international institutions, demanding the court’s establishment, officially welcomes Cllr Johnthan Massaquoi appointment to the office of executive director for war and economic crimes court.
“Having fully researched and vetted the credentials of Cllr Massaquoi, the vanguard party has concluded that this astute, disciplined, and renowned massescratic lawyer meets the fullest standards and has both the moral and legal requirements to serve this body. Cllr. Massaquoi has a long history in criminal and human rights laws, legal ethics, and investigation all of which place him as a perfect pick to deliver on this task accordingly”, SUP Chairman asserted.
“SUP believes that Cllr Massaquoi’s longstanding records of legal investigation, honesty, and integrity aren’t only enforcing qualities but also place him in the position to fully discharge the duties of the office of war crimes court. As part of the Executive Director’s responsibilities, Cllr Massaquo has been charged with the duties to rally support, gain the needed international attraction, and create a full role map on which the war and economic crimes court will be established. SUP sees these tasks as cumbersome and challenging as Cllr Massaquoi now carries the hopes and aspirations of all victims of war and economic crimes in Liberia. SUP cautions Cllr Massaquoi to serve with diligence, professionalism, and impartiality as this responsibility will mark a major milestone in the effort to dispense justice for victims of war and economic crimes of which are the abandoned and dejected masses of our people,” the leader of SUP indicated.
According to the release, in the wake of the pronouncement of the Executive Director of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC), human rights violators and war crimes perpetrators are unsettled and imploring dubious means to cause panic, c hass, and confusion amongst war crimes court advocates and human rights actors.
“It is prudent therefore to build a more resilient and commanding front that contains the energy and enthusiasm of patriots to face these reactionary forces that are planning to dismantle our people’s hope for justice.”
At the same time, SUP is calling on all human rights advocates, the coalition of civil society groups, youth and student groups, and all war and economic crimes court advocates “to rally hands and stand in a gallant but very progressive voice with the Executive Director for the office of war crimes to ensure that this court is fully established and serve its rightful purpose”.
SUP added: “It is obvious that many of those who perpetrated atrocities during the war are still powerful in Liberia and have significant resources to challenge efforts that are concentrated on bringing them to book. However, as human rights defenders, we must realize that by playing to their tone, we risk the legitimacy to stand with our people and this apparent fallout will be a victory for warlords and their handlers. We’re calling on every Liberian who still believes that justice is possible, to stand up now and start massive awareness in their local communities on the need for a war crimes court and the significant relief this court will bring to many Liberians”, the executive leader continued.
However, SUP recalled that the Liberian war took away over 200 thousand of our compatriots who were killed by warlords who were motivated by naked opportunistic desperation, according to them, it’s time the blood of those men and women should never spilled in vain.
SUP called on all stake actors, civil society organization and human rights groups to stand up and ensure that this court is made possible for the compelling dispense of justice crimes to the memories of their falling national heroes and heroes.