The Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment
of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L), Dr. Cllr. Jallah A.
Barbu, is leading a five-member Liberian delegation to Rwanda on a study and
engagement mission aimed at strengthening transitional justice initiatives,
especially the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.
and learning from Rwanda's post-genocide accountability
process.
Dr. Barbu’s visit is intended to gain additional knowledge
on Rwanda’s experience in establishing judicial mechanisms that prosecuted
individuals responsible for genocide and other serious crimes against humanity.
The Rwandan visit was organized through the collaborative
efforts of Liberia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice.
As part of the mission, the delegation will also engage Liberian students and
members of the Liberian community residing in Rwanda and other parts of the
region.
During their stay, the delegation will participate in two
separate symposia focusing on transitional justice, bringing together
representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) and senior government representatives in Rwanda to exchange
experiences and discuss best practices in promoting justice, accountability,
and reconciliation.
The delegation includes Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive
Director of OWECC-L Atty. Vivian Neal, Head of Gender and Youth Development;
Peter K. Sonyah, representing victims' groups; and Edmond Karmei,
Officer-in-Charge of the Bomi County Regional Office, who also was schooled in
Rwanda.
The visit forms part of OWECC-L's ongoing public outreach
and stakeholders’ engagement, which seeks to educate Liberians about the
Office's mandate and ongoing efforts toward the establishment of a War and
Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court.
“Rwanda, which has confronted the legacy of mass atrocities
through judicial and institutional reforms, will help inform Liberia's own
transitional justice process as the country continues efforts to address past
human rights violations and strengthen the rule of law”, Dr. Barbu is quoted as
saying.
