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Senator Prince Kermue Moye, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget, has urged Public Defenders to prioritize justice and liberty for underprivileged Liberians.
Emphasizing the crucial role of Public Defenders, the Senator noted that peace and tranquility can only be attained and sustained in Liberia if citizens have equal access to justice.
“This is why Public Defenders must play a pivotal role to ensure that citizens who cannot afford have access to justice,” Moye said at the Seventh Annual Convention of the National Association of Public Defenders of Liberia at the Temple of Justice on Thursday, January 9. “It is your work as public defenders, fighting for justice for the economically underprivileged class, that ensures there is liberty and justice for all.
“Undoubtedly, when those down the social, economic and political ladders become to access to quality legal services as much as those at the upper end of the ladder, then we will all be confident of attaining liberty and justice for all.”
Senator Moye added that when public defenders are winning a lot more cases for Liberians who cannot afford the cost of legal services, Liberia and its citizens are inching closer to attaining liberty and justice for all.
The influential Unity Party and Bong County Lawmaker highlighted the importance of Public Defenders in upholding constitutional rights, judicial integrity, and promoting a reputable and credible justice system in post-conflict Liberia.
He encouraged Public Defenders to invest as much time, and show as much passion in defending their clients who have nothing to offer in return for your legal services in the same manner and form they (Public Defenders) defend clients who have everything to offer for the same quality of service.
“When periodic judicial updates begin to show effective and efficient legal services to clients and courts by public defenders, it drives trust and confidence in the process and everyone will eventually be assured of justice.”
Senator Moye maintained that unless citizens themselves are convinced that the judicial system is set up and exists to provide justice for everyone regardless of statuses, they will never trust the court process, and hence judicial integrity will continue to be under critical scrutiny.
He added that as the judiciary seeks to deliver on five strategic thematic objectives of its current strategic plan under the theme “Rebranding the Liberian Judiciary”, NAPDOL as a vital subset of the judiciary has a critical role to play towards this actualization.
He stated that NAPDOL can contribute significantly to ensuring quality and expanded infrastructure for improved access to justice by offering recommendations on what the quality of such infrastructures should be, and where they are most needed.
According to him, the group possesses the capacity to help build a more professional and competent judicial personnel system by espousing policies that hold its own members accountable whenever there are ethical breaches and inefficiencies.
He observed that Liberia cannot boast of its achievements as a country if it cannot uphold liberty and justice for everyone.
He urged that no matter the circumstances, diversities and preferences, the government and its citizens must defend, to the depth of “our strengths, everyone’s right to liberty and justice.”
Senator Moye noted that “whatever we do, and however we agree to do them, let us uphold the doctrine of liberty and justice for all Liberians.”
He, however, pledged to work with his colleagues at the National Legislature to ensure that Public Defenders adequately benefit from budgetary allocation to the Judiciary branch of the Liberian government.
Speaking further, Senator Moye described the upholding of the rule of law and access to justice as the fulcrum of Liberia’s fledgling democracy.
According to him, there can be no sustained peace and development in the absence of freedom and justice in the country.
Senator Moye stressed that the foundation of Liberia is premised on the values of freedom and justice for all Liberians regardless of their social statuses, economic standings, political preferences, cultural orientations, and religious affiliations.
He added that adherence to the rule of law, and ensuring liberty and justice for all is very central to Liberia economic and democratic progress.
Senator Moye maintained that it is also pivotal to “our survival and progress as a people and nation.”
“We must galvanize our efforts and work to ensure that reforms are responsive to this reality.”
In post conflict Liberia, there has been consistent flagrant disregard for the upholding of the rule of law because of lack of trust-mainly from ordinary citizens-in the justice system.
There have been multiple reports released by international and local partners, including the U. S State Department alarming of alleged corruption in the judicial system of the country.
But Senator Moye emphasized that it is now time to ensure a reputable and credible justice system in Liberia. This, he added, has to be a concerted effort.
“Professional legal organizations like NAPDOL have their roles to play, individual lawyers have to give their best for their clients, judges must do due diligence in the discharge of their duties. And for us in the legislature, coordination is key to the achievement of these objectives.”
He noted that as a matter of high importance, judicial credibility is crucial due to growing instances of mob violence, where people take the law into their own hands.
Senator Moye called on citizens to see the courts as the best place to settle their issues or dissatisfaction instead of engaging in acts of lawlessness to paint their country ugly to the outside world.
“There needs to be a paradigm shift. We must reach a point where the people start to see the courts as the most preferred options for resolving issues.”
He said the need to restore confidence in the Liberian justice system cannot be overemphasized, and as such, the role of public defenders is as important as it has ever been.
