-Urges Immediate Funding of War Crimes Court
By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia — Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor Kelley, Vice President of the Liberia Female Lawyers Association, has called for concrete action to establish a victim-centered framework for justice and accountability in Liberia, stating such efforts can no longer be postponed.
Speaking at a national civil society engagement forum, Cllr. Kelley said that the overwhelming desire of Liberians for justice and accountability should determine the country’s direction, stressing that such efforts must begin now, not in the future. “If the vast majority of our people want justice and accountability, then that is where Liberia must be heading,” she declared. “We cannot continue to defer these conversations. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
Cllr. Kelley underscored that Liberia already possesses adequate legal frameworks and policies to address accountability for past atrocities, but the major challenge lies in weak implementation. According to her, laws without enforcement only deepen public distrust and prolong national wounds. She pointed to the establishment of the Office for the Creation of the War Crimes Court as a significant political milestone, commending the Head of State for demonstrating political will by creating the office and appointing an Executive Director.
However, she noted with concern that two years after its establishment, the office remains largely under-resourced and underfunded. “The office exists, but it must be properly funded and operationalized,” she said. “Duty bearers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that this process moves forward. Civil society will continue to remind the state of that responsibility.”
Advocating for a victim-centered and survivor-centered model, Cllr. Kelley stressed that accountability must not be reduced to institutional structures alone but must prioritize the dignity, healing, and justice needs of victims and survivors across Liberia. She further emphasized the importance of civil society, international partners, and development partners working collaboratively with government institutions, not as adversaries, but as partners in national rebuilding.
“We are not enemies of the state,” she said. “We are civil society organizations committed to seeing the best for Liberia. Our role is to push, to engage, and to hold institutions accountable so that justice becomes reality.” Cllr. Kelley also referenced Liberia’s obligations under international treaties and conventions, including the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, noting that Liberia’s status as a signatory to multiple international instruments and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations places a clear responsibility on the country to uphold international justice standards.
She highlighted the importance of national inclusivity in justice processes, noting that participation must extend beyond Monrovia to include rural communities across the 15 counties, many of which lack access to infrastructure and connectivity. “This is not a Monrovia conversation,” she said. “People from Grand Gedeh, Lofa, River Gee, and other rural counties must be part of this process. Justice must be national in character.” Calling for unity, optimism, and integrity in leadership, Cllr. Kelley warned against compromise and corruption, stressing that integrity remains the foundation of credible justice systems. “Once integrity is lost, everything is lost,” she said.
“This process must be guided by principles, not politics.” She concluded with a renewed call to action, urging government, civil society, and international partners to move from dialogue to concrete implementation, describing the current moment as a critical turning point in Liberia’s history. “This is just the beginning of the process,” she said. “But we want to see action. Real action. Liberia deserves justice, accountability, and healing, and the time to act is now.”
