Liberian human rights advocates request US funding for Liberian-led war crimes courts to address impunity for past atrocities.
Liberian human rights advocates urged the US government to lead funding for war and economic crimes courts in Liberia, emphasizing the importance of a Liberian-led justice system. The request comes as the US-based Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a hearing on the establishment of a court for Liberia, where a coalition of American, Liberian, and international organizations, including Human Rights Watch, called for the establishment of a Liberian-led war crimes court to address impunity for human rights and humanitarian law violations during the country's 1989-2003 armed conflicts. The advocates believe that the establishment of such courts is critical to addressing the lingering impact of past atrocities and promoting justice in Liberia.