These, the fleeing refugees, must be at the centre of sustaible  peace

Catholics Demand War Crimes Tribunal

By Mambu James Kpargoi

22 May 04

The Roman Church in Liberia has joined the mounting campaign for war crimes tribunal for all those who allegedly committed crimes during the country’s decade of civil war near ending. The Church says while it supports a Truth Reconciliation Commission, which the warlords prefer, a war crimes tribunal is needed to ensure that justice is done.

Key warlords, including the Speaker of interim legislative assembly George Dweh, accused of a number of crimes, have opposed a war crimes. They blamed politicians for suggesting a war crimes and warn that this will not ensure peace.

But in a statement signed by Father Harry O’Brien, Vicar of the Monrovia Diocese on behalf of Archbishop Michael Francis currently recuperating in sition process. They said a war crimes tribunal, which interim chair Charles Gyude Bryant has ruled out, is necessary for suthe US, the Catholics said they are watching with keen interest the process of justice that would be enshrined during this transtainable peace.

The statement said the church believes that a war crimes tribunal will set an deterrent for any future recurrence of the inhumanity that has visited Liberia for the past more than fifteen years.

Calls fro war crimes have intensified as disarmament and demobilisation of fighters proceeds. The London-based human rights group, Amnesty International says the NTGL should rule out the possibility of any amnesty for crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violation of international laws and work with civil society and the international community to bring those allegedly responsible for crimes during the civil war to justice.

In its latest statement Amnesty said there could be no amnesty for crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violations of international law.

The three warring parties under the Accra Peace Accord called on the NTGL to give consideration to granting Amnesty to members of the belligerent factions during the civil war. But Amnesty says if any effect is given to the recommendation in the CPA for giving an amnesty it cannot apply to crimes under international law.

Those responsible for grave breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law during the Liberian conflict including the recruitment and use of children as combatants should be brought to justice," Amnesty said.

Many child soldiers have been explaining their ordeals surrounding their abduction and force conscription into the various arm groups. These child combatants were subjugated to the worst forms of psychological and physical dehumanizing conditions, including rape, torture and slavery.

Amnesty says these abuses constitute worst serious violations of international humanitarian law, notable the Geneva Convention of which Liberia is a signatory and as such violators should not be granted general amnesty.

The group says prosecution of perpetrators of heinous crimes against humanity as well as international laws is necessary to serve as a deterrent and encourage the process of national reconciliation.