BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County– The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Law Reform Commission (LRC), Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, is set to lead a high-level technical review of Liberia's proposed War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) Bill*during a major Legal Legislative Dialogue scheduled for this weekend in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
The engagement, organized by the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) under the leadership of Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, will bring together lawmakers, legal experts, civil society representatives, and other key stakeholders to examine the draft legislation aimed at establishing both the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court.
OWECC-L has invited Cllr. Varmah to serve as the lead facilitator for the technical review, a role that underscores his extensive legal expertise and the Law Reform Commission's commitment to strengthening Liberia's justice sector.
According to organizers, the dialogue will provide a platform for in-depth discussions on the legal, constitutional, and institutional dimensions of the proposed courts. The session, which runs from Thursday through Saturday, is expected to equip members of the relevant legislative committees with the technical understanding needed to effectively scrutinize and make recommendations on the bills before their consideration by the full Legislature.
Under the theme, "Technical Review of the WECC Bill," the discussions will focus on the legal framework required to establish the court, which is intended to address war-related atrocities committed during Liberia's civil conflicts as well as major economic crimes. Cllr. Varmah is expected to draw upon his wealth of legal experience to guide deliberations on a matter considered central to Liberia's pursuit of justice, accountability, and national reconciliation.
The review comes at a pivotal moment in Liberia's democratic and governance journey. For years, victims, survivors, civil society organizations, women's groups, youth advocates, faith-based institutions, and international partners have called for greater accountability for crimes committed during the country's years of conflict and for stronger measures to combat corruption.
A major breakthrough was achieved when President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. formally submitted the WECC Bill and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC) Bill to the Legislature. The proposed laws are widely viewed as landmark measures designed to strengthen the rule of law, provide justice for victims and survivors of Liberia's civil crises spanning from 1979 to 2003, and reinforce public confidence in national institutions.
The Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition; Ways, Means, Finance and Budget; and Defense, Security and Intelligence, along with the House Committee on Judiciary, are playing a key role in reviewing the legislation and shaping recommendations before any final legislative action.
OWECC-L says the Buchanan working session is intended to ensure lawmakers fully understand the technical and legal implications of the proposed courts. The gathering will also include representatives from the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), civil society organizations, and OWECC-L's technical team.
Observers view the dialogue as another significant step toward advancing Liberia's long-standing quest for accountability, justice, and good governance while honoring the memories of victims affected by war and corruption.
