Published: February 27, 2026
MONROVIA, Liberia — The European Union, in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), has launched a new $724,000 initiative aimed at strengthening victim-centered transitional justice mechanisms in Liberia, including support for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC).
The project, unveiled Thursday at the EU Delegation compound in Monrovia, seeks to build credible and inclusive accountability systems while reinforcing national efforts to address past human rights violations and corruption-related offenses.
The two-year program, covering 2026 and 2027, brings together key state institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
A Victim-Centered Approach
In his opening remarks, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Liberia Zoltan Szalai described the initiative as a reaffirmation of the European Union’s longstanding commitment to justice and accountability in Liberia.
“This initiative reflects the European Union’s strong and long-standing commitment to the people of Liberia in their pursuit of justice and accountability,” Szalai said, stressing that “a victim centered approach is essential to rebuilding trust, strengthening the rule of law and ensuring that the painful experiences of the past are acknowledged.”
He added that the EU will continue to stand with Liberia in advancing “a peaceful, inclusive and democratic society where no one is left behind.”
Operationalizing the WECC and NACC
OHCHR Representative in Liberia Christian Mukosa said the project is designed to bolster progress already made by national stakeholders in operationalizing key judicial mechanisms.
According to Mukosa, the initiative will support the training of investigators, prosecutors and judges to handle complex war crimes and corruption cases, while ensuring that victims and witnesses are protected and meaningfully engaged.
He said the project will “ensure the operationalization of victim-centered judicial mechanisms such as the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC) brings redress to victims of past gross human rights violations and corruption-related offences to contribute to reconciliation and prevent recurrence.”
Mukosa emphasized that justice must extend beyond the courtroom.
“It also creates a vital safety net for whistleblowers and human rights defenders so they can speak truth to power without fear,” he said.
Through targeted community engagement, he added, women, youth and persons with disabilities will be actively involved in shaping reconciliation and national development efforts.
Government Reaffirms Legal Commitment
Liberia’s Justice Minister N. Oswald Tweh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court remains firmly grounded in law and consistent with the Constitution.
As chief legal adviser to the government, Tweh said the Ministry of Justice is providing legal oversight and policy guidance to operationalize the executive order establishing the Office for the War and Economic Crimes Court.
He disclosed that draft legislation to formally establish the court is being finalized in coordination with national and international partners.
“Our objective is clear, to ensure that justice mechanisms are credible, inclusive and responsive to the needs and rights of victims. This process must uphold the rule of law and international justice standards,” Tweh said.
The minister also announced that the ministry is working with OHCHR and the LACC on capacity-building activities scheduled for April 2026 to strengthen investigations and prosecutions of corruption-related offenses.
He stressed that accountability for economic crimes is critical to restoring public trust and pledged that a national policy for the protection of human rights defenders will be adopted before the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Legislative and Anti-Corruption Support
Speaking on behalf of House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, Chief of Staff Cllr. James N. Verdier Jr. welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary.
Verdier pledged the Speaker’s office commitment to supporting the full implementation of the project.
Also representing LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation Dr. Matta Jeh reaffirmed the commission’s collaboration and emphasized the need to end impunity and ensure justice for victims.
A Step Toward Reconciliation
Officials said the initiative provides technical support to ensure that Liberia’s transitional justice framework is credible, inclusive and aligned with international standards.
By strengthening national institutions and centering victims in the accountability process, stakeholders say the project marks a significant step toward reconciliation, institutional reform and the prevention of future abuses.
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