“Critical Appointment”: US Congressman Chris Smith Calls President Boakai’s Jumpstart of War & Economic Crimes Court
Woodbridge, Virginia: The recent appointment of Counselor Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court by Liberian President Joseph Boakai has received the endorsement of U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (Republican-New Jersey), the Chair of the House Global Human Rights Subcommittee.
“With this critical appointment, President Boakai continues to show his commitment and eagerness for justice,” Rep. Smith pronounced.
The latest appointment of Counselor Jonathan Massaquoi follows a noteworthy congressional hearing in the United States conducted by Representative Chris Smith.
“His expeditious pursuit of accountability for the people of Liberia has strong support here in the U.S. Congress, and we will continue to support him when he stays the course for justice in the face of the inevitable pushback from those guilty of crimes or trying to undermine the process,” Smith continued praising Boakai.
The topic of discussion at this hearing was what must be done to move forward with holding people accountable for the grave human rights abuses that hundreds of thousands of Liberians have experienced over the last few decades.
The nation and its citizens have suffered greatly because of the numerous horrible deeds that are included in the offenses.
With Massaquoi leading the charge, the crucial responsibility of creating a tribunal has now been placed on the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court.
The main goal of this tribunal is to prosecute those who have up to now avoided responsibility for their roles in the horrifying atrocities that occurred during Liberia’s civil wars.
These civil conflicts, which took place between 1989 and 2003, were some of the bloodiest in contemporary memory. About 250,000 Liberians lost their lives as a result of them, a tragedy that has affected the nation for a long time.
The crimes of the conflict went beyond casualties. Thousands of Liberians suffered severe psychological and physical trauma that resulted from being forcibly enlisted as child soldiers, a practice that robbed them of their youth. The systematic use of rape as a weapon of war resulted in widespread sexual abuse against survivors, leaving them traumatized for life. Many people experienced lasting consequences from acts of barbarism that culminated in their mutilations and limb loss. These atrocities combined to create a severe and widespread trauma that still affects Liberian society today.
Addressing these injustices is the responsibility of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court, which Massaquoi leads. A significant step toward providing the victims with justice and the nation’s healing has been taken with the creation of the tribunal. The tribunal hopes to bring back a sense of justice and open the door for healing and reconciliation in Liberia by holding those responsible for their actions accountable. The goal of this endeavor is not only to prosecute previous crimes but also to establish a precedent for the future, guaranteeing that such crimes are not committed again and that their perpetrators cannot get away with it.
Liberian-born Emmanuel Orlind Cooper is an accomplished multimedia journalist with extensive experience covering news and stories on a variety of media platforms. Orlind's work frequently demonstrates his profound grasp of the region and its complexity, given his Liberian heritage.
Now residing in Woodbridge, Virginia, he keeps connecting with readers across continents with his perceptive journalism and sharing his viewpoint. He is well-respected in the sector because of his unwavering commitment to honesty and morality, which sets him apart in the field.
Orlind's work is more than simply his job; it's a dedication to giving voice to the voiceless, illuminating unsung tales, and advancing the worldwide conversation on important concerns. His goal as a journalist is to use the media's power to change the world, not just to disseminate information. He is a key player in modern journalism because of the inspiration, education, and engagement that his work consistently provides.