-Sends to Pres. Boakai for signing
By Jerromie S. Walters
The plenary of the House of Representatives of the 55th National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia has autonomously concurred with the Liberian Senate on the amended joint resolution for the establishment of war and economic crimes courts In Liberia.
The House reached the decision following a motion to concur with the Senate by Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative Thomas Goshua during the fifth day sitting of the extraordinary session of the first quarter of the first sitting of the 55th National Legislature, Thursday, April 11, 2024. The WECC joint resolution was endorsement by the Liberian Senate earlier this week. With the House’s decision, the joint resolution will now be sent to the President for signing. If it is signed by the President, this will pave the way for bill from the House for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Courts in Liberia.
Prior to the concurrence of the resolution, House Speaker Fonati Koffa encouraged his colleagues to act on the document and ensure that It is sent to the President today.
Speaker Koffa: “Since we believe this is an important matter, we reviewed it and are requesting that the eight members sign on to the Sales version, so we can agree with the Senate version and send it to the President for approval today. To move forward, I suggest that we send the resolution from the Senate to the President for signature.”
The Senate Communication reads: “I am writing to inform you of an amendment made to the House resolution entitled Joint Resolution number Dot Zero 01/20/24 of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia. The Senate has carefully reviewed Jose’s resolution and has adopted an amendment Delta on Tuesday, April 924, at the hour of thirteen. The amendment seeks to establish an extraordinary Criminal Code and the Mexican corruption code for war and economic crimes in Liberia.
It continues, “I kindly request your timely concurrence with the provisions set by the amendment, as it is crucial for the establishment of war and economic crimes in our country. Please accept my highest consideration and esteem, and I look forward to your response.
On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 27 of the 29 Senators signed the joint resolution endorsing Liberia’s establishment of a war and economic crimes court.
The document provides that the Extraordinary Criminal Court to be established shall be known as the UN-backed “Special War Crimes Court for Liberia” (SWACCOL) to prosecute those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between the period 1979 and 2003 under Article 34(f).
Consistent with Article 34(e)(b)(j)(l) of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, the Executive shall develop a legal framework and submit the same to the Legislature for enactment into law for the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Court (ACC) focusing from 1979 to 2003.
The agreement also said the President shall write the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States Government expressing the Liberian Government’s intention to establish the Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal on Liberian soil or alternatively to a country to be designated.
The Liberian Leader shall further request financial and other assistance; develop a financial resource mobilization plan and submit it to the United Nations, the EU, the US Government, and other international partners to seek financial and economic support for the establishment and operations of the court.
“That the President shall report to the Legislature as to the progress made on the establishment of the two courts as well as challenges, if any, or outcome(s) of his engagements with the United Nations, the EU, the US Government, and other international partners regarding the resource mobilization plan and results, including domestic resource mobilization through the budgetary process, pursuant this Resolution,” the document says.
