LIBERIA: Women Recommend Punishment for Warlords

Women groupings under the Women NGO's Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) have reached a broad consensus on the need to punish heads of the former warring factions and "warlords" in the Liberian civil conflict.

The women in their recommendations to Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) made specific suggestions for jail terms and hard labor for the heads of the defunct warring factions and "warlords" with proposals also for the establishment of a war crimes court for Liberia.

The women recommended that "warlords" and people with track records of corruption and abuses should be bar from holding public offices.

They also recommended the seizure of properties and bank accounts for non- cooperative "warlords" who appeared before the TRC, but some of the women said they were willing to consider conditional amnesty for those who told the truth, showed remorse and asked for forgiveness.

They also reached a broad consensus that all child soldiers, or those forced to fight should be recommended for amnesty.

The women made the presentation of the recommendations of the Four Community Dialogues and Reconciliation Meetings: Evaluating and Re-enforcing Women's Participation in Transitional Justice and Governance, to Commissioners of the TRC Monday at its headquarters in Sinkor.

Presenting the recommendations on behalf of the women, Mrs. Martha Karnga, board member of WONGOSOL said the women were recommending immediate medical assistance for sexual violations in the form of health care for survivors of rape and other medical support to victims.

They also recommended empowerment programs for widows, disabled, and other victims of the civil conflict. The women proposed psychosocial counseling for victims and perpetrators and demanded communal reparations. They also recommended stronger participation of women in all levels of government, especially in leadership positions.

They called for the recognition of human capacity gaps and made requests for lots of training for women as teachers, doctors, nurses, midwives, judges, farmers, etc.

The women also reached a consensus on memorialization issues, advancing the need for the erection of monuments to remember the dead. They recommended the enactment into law for a national day of mourning and called for the holding of rituals, festivals or feasts to remember the dead.

Receiving the recommendations, TRC Chariman Counselor Jerome Verdier recognized the impressive turnout of the women, saying it clearly signifies their interest in the TRC process and the restoration of lasting peace to Liberia.

Cllr. Verdier said it was regrettable that women became direct actors and victims of the conflict, saying, "because they were women they became direct targets." He extolled the immense contribution of women to the Liberian peace process, adding that because of their roles peace has now been restored to the country.

Chairman Verdier reminded Liberians that impunity is not a good thing for any society, noting that it is important for Liberians to confront the issues affecting our society head on.

He said throughout the TRC process women and children issues have been mainstreamed and praised the roles and participation of women in the TRC process.

"When decisions are made and the interests of women and children are not considered it is a serious mistake," Verdier said.

He said the TRC is committed to doing it work fairly without fear or favor. Mr. Verdier said that the women's recommendations will provide a blue print of how society will progress and sustain peace and reconciliation.

Cllr. Verdier praised the women's recommendations but noted that Liberia has a history of not implementing recommendations. He however said it will be the responsibility of civil society organizations to ensure that the report and recommendations of the TRC are fully implemented.