Monrovia, Liberia – At a high-level anti-corruption workshop in Monrovia on Tuesday, April 21, there was a strong call to combat corruption as both a criminal offence and a grave human rights violation. Government officials, legal experts, and international partners have cautioned that prosecution delays and weak institutions continue to threaten Liberia’s legal system.
The project aims to improve the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases while guaranteeing adherence to human rights standards, including due process and fair trial guarantees. It was coordinated with the UN and national stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, European Union (EU) Charge D Affair Zolton Szalei emphasised that corruption extends beyond financial wrongdoing, characterising it as “a fundamental threat to the rule of law and the fabric of a fair society.” He underlined that vital services like healthcare and education suffer the most when public funds are shifted, disproportionately impacting residents who are already at risk.
Concerning comparable issues, Cllr. Corruption undermines public confidence and breaches fundamental rights, according to Sagie F. Kamara Sr., President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights. However, they expressed concern about an increasing number of indictments that are not promptly prosecuted.
“We cannot continue to indict individuals without trial, referencing provisions in Liberia’s criminal procedure law that mandate dismissal of cases if prosecution fails to proceed within specified court terms,” Cllr Kamara narrated.
According to him, it is not only a waste of resources but a violation of fundamental rights. Participants argued that the current legal systems, especially Criminal Court “C,” are overburdened and unable to handle the volume of corruption-related cases, and calls for the quick creation of a specialised anti-corruption court grew stronger during the event.
As for him, Cllr. The Ministry of Justice’s Deputy Minister for Administration, Cora Hare Konuwa, recognized the backlog and reiterated the government’s commitment to combating impunity while blaming delays on a lack of resources. “Impunity fuels corruption. We must ensure that those accused are prosecuted efficiently and fairly,” he added.
Speaking as well, the UN Resident Coordinator praised Liberia’s commitment and achievements in preserving peace over the previous 20 years while warning that corruption continues to pose a serious threat to democratic governance and sustainable development.
In all anti-corruption initiatives, she urged participants to take a “victim-centered, human rights-based approach.” Stakeholders are anticipated to exchange best practices and devise plans to remedy deficiencies in Liberia’s legal system during the two-day seminar.
Participants stressed throughout the session that the battle against corruption needs to go beyond words towards practical action, guaranteeing accountability, defending human rights, and rebuilding public trust in governmental institutions.
Reported by: Prince Sahh
