The Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) has reaffirmed its commitment to justice, accountability, reparations, and national reconciliation during the commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the Lutheran Church Massacre.
Delivering the keynote statement on behalf of OWECC-L Executive Director Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Ms. Charline G. Mulbah of the War Crimes Division described the massacre as one of Liberia's darkest chapters and paid tribute to the victims, survivors, and families who have endured decades of pain while awaiting justice. She emphasized that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court is intended to promote accountability and healing not revenge and highlighted the launch of the Civil War Memorial Photo Gallery as an important step toward preserving the memories of victims, educating future generations, confronting denial, and ensuring that the atrocities of the civil war are never forgotten.
"Justice delayed for thirty-six years cannot become justice denied forever," Ms. Mulbah said on behalf of Dr. Barbu. "The War and Economic Crimes Court is not about revenge but about accountability, healing, and ensuring that victims and survivors finally receive the justice and dignity they deserve."
Ms. Mulbah also stressed the need for a comprehensive reparations program to restore dignity to victims and survivors who continue to suffer the lasting effects of the conflict. Drawing lessons from Rwanda's post-genocide recovery, she noted that accountability, memorialization, reconciliation, and strong institutions are essential to building lasting peace and preventing future violence.
She further renewed OWECC-L's call on the Liberian Legislature to expedite the passage of the War and Economic Crimes Court Bill and the National Anti-Corruption Court Bill, describing both as critical to ending impunity, strengthening democratic governance, and reinforcing the rule of law.
Ms. Mulbah also acknowledged the continued support of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., development partners, civil society organizations, victims' groups, faith leaders, and other stakeholders advancing Liberia's transitional justice process.
The July 29, 1990, St. Peter's Lutheran Church Massacre was one of the deadliest atrocities of Liberia's civil war. More than 600 unarmed civilians many of them women, children, and elderly people who had sought refuge in the church were killed by soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), making the massacre a lasting symbol of the conflict's brutality and an enduring reminder of the need for justice and accountability.
Also speaking at the memorial service, Marcus P. Quoigoah, Sr., Executive Director of the Lutheran Church Massacre Survivors Association (LUMASA), called on the Government of Liberia and all stakeholders to prioritize the welfare of survivors of the July 29, 1990, massacre. He stressed that genuine reconciliation cannot be achieved while survivors continue to endure untreated physical injuries, psychological trauma, poverty, and neglect.
Mr. Quoigoah said survivors are not seeking luxury but dignity, medical care, psychosocial support, meaningful reparations, and justice for the atrocities committed against them.
He commended OWECC-L for its commitment to advancing accountability and encouraged the institution to maintain close engagement with victims and survivors throughout the transitional justice process.
Reaffirming LUMASA's commitment to truth, justice, and remembrance, Mr. Quoigoah urged survivors to continue sharing their testimonies, describing every story as an act of courage that preserves history and combats denial. Declaring, "We Survived to Change the Future," he called on Liberians to reject silence and indifference, support accountability and reparations, and ensure that the tragedy of July 29, 1990, is never repeated.
The memorial service brought together survivors, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organizations, religious leaders, development partners, and other stakeholders to honor the victims of the Lutheran Church Massacre and reaffirm Liberia's collective commitment to justice, accountability, healing, and lasting peace.
