INCHR Chairperson Cllr. Dempster Brown emphasized that over 200 TRC recommendations are expected to be considered by the court once fully operational.
Monrovia – The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) says Liberia is entering a critical phase in delivering long-awaited justice for civil war-era atrocities, as preparations for the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations gain momentum.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The announcement followed a strategic meeting between the INCHR and the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court – Liberia (OWECC-L), a body established to facilitate prosecutions related to Liberia’s brutal civil conflicts.
The meeting comes shortly after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai renewed Executive Order No. 131—now Executive Order No. 148—reaffirming his administration’s commitment to establishing the court.
Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, INCHR Chairperson Cllr. Dempster Brown emphasized that over 200 TRC recommendations are expected to be considered by the court once fully operational.
He praised President Boakai’s continued political will, describing the renewed order as a “decisive step” toward ending impunity.
“This is judgment time for war criminals. The country went through hell, and justice cannot be delayed any further,” Brown declared.
Brown disclosed that INCHR has documented more than 200 mass grave sites across the country, including a recently uncovered site in Lofa County. These sites, he said, serve as undeniable evidence of the atrocities committed during the country’s civil wars and reinforce the need for accountability.
He also issued a strong call for unhindered access to the US$2 million allocated for the operation of the War and Economic Crimes Court, urging the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to ensure the funds are made available without delay.
“The budget must not face bottlenecks. If this court is to function effectively, timely and full access to funding is essential,” Brown added.
INCHR is also appealing for additional government support to conduct public hearings and nationwide awareness campaigns. According to Brown, such efforts are crucial for informing Liberians about the purpose of the court and engaging communities in the justice process.
“The people know who committed these crimes—many perpetrators still live among them,” he said. “We must give citizens a voice and create space for truth-telling.”
Part of the implementation process includes drafting a bill that President Boakai will submit to the United Nations. The agreement will determine the appointment of judges and establish logistical details such as the court’s location and detention facilities for indictees.
The move to operationalize the War and Economic Crimes Court comes amid growing pressure from both local and international human rights groups, demanding that Liberia confront its legacy of impunity and deliver justice for victims of the country’s 14-year civil conflict.
