By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
The Chairman of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Dempster Brown, has sharply criticized the draft bill for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court currently before the Liberian Senate, describing it as “far below international standards.”
Speaking at the launch of the Commission’s newsletter in Monrovia, Brown noted that the bill requires rulings from the court to be submitted to the Supreme Court if appeals are filed by convicts. He argued that such provisions contradict international norms governing the establishment of special courts.
Brown further pointed out that international frameworks recommend a composition of 15 judges—five appointed by the Liberian government and ten by the United Nations. The draft bill, however, omits this requirement. He warned that failure to adhere to this structure undermines the court’s credibility and could discourage UN sponsorship.
“The decision to remove such clauses is laughable and clearly intended to undermine the President,” Brown said. “President Joseph Boakai is lobbying to raise funding for the court but allowing cases from the Special Court to be reviewed by the Supreme Court before final judgment is totally out of order. If the United Nations withdraws from the process due to these shortcomings, the President’s efforts will be fruitless.”
According to Brown, the INCHR has already communicated its concerns to Senate Pro Tempore and the leadership of the Senate, particularly the Judiciary Committee chaired by Senator Joseph Jallah of Lofa County.
He emphasized that the Commission is demanding public hearings on the bill before its passage, stressing that attempts by certain state actors to dilute the provisions amount to undermining both the government and President Boakai.
