In a week-long high-level meeting of the International Association of Judges (IAJ), Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung delivered an important message to judges, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law and ensure fair administration of justice.
Vice President Koung highlighted the crucial role that judges play in society, particularly in the current information age. He stressed that upholding the rule of law is essential to prevent discontent and potential disruptions that may lead to instability.
Under the leadership of President Joseph N. Boakai, Liberia has prioritized the implementation of the Rule of Law as a fundamental pillar of governance, as outlined in the “Arrest Agenda.”
During the conference held in Monrovia, Chief Justice Madam Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh of the Supreme Court of Liberia delivered a keynote address. She expressed concern about the low level of confidence in the justice system, attributing it to the uncontrolled nature of social media.
Chief Justice Yuoh highlighted the dangers of misinformation and sensationalism spread through platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. She specifically mentioned that many individuals reporting and posting on social media lack formal or informal training in mass communication.
In her welcome statement, Nancy F. Sammy, Resident Circuit Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit in Lofa County and President of the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia, announced that Liberia had been unanimously selected as the venue for the 2024 Annual Rotational Meeting of the International Association of Judges (IAJ) during the previous year’s conference in Bamako, Mali.
She highlighted the IAJ’s main objectives, which include promoting the rule of law, access to justice, independence of the judiciary, and the protection of human rights.
The organization, founded in 1958 in Salzburg, Austria, currently comprises 98 member countries and representative groups from five continents, with the African Regional Group consisting of 20 countries, including Liberia.
The meeting served as an important platform for judges to engage in discussions, share experiences, and work towards strengthening justice systems and upholding the rule of law. With Liberia being at the center of such discussions, it demonstrates the country’s commitment to creating a fair and just society, guided by the principles of the Rule of Law.
