Liberia National Bar Association Holds Discussions With U.S. Ambassador, UNDP Resident Coordinator o

April 28, 2020

The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) said it has had a fruitful meetings in Monrovia with United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Mr. Michael A. McCarthy and UNDP-Liberia Resident Representative and Coordinator of UN operations in Liberia, Mr. Stephen Rodriques on Strengthening the Country’s rule of law and Justice system.

According to the release, the President of the LNBA, Cllr. Taiwon S. Gongloe briefed Ambassador McCarthy about level of progress that the bar has made in improving access to justice through its five legal aid clinics.

“During the meetings with Ambassador McCarthy and Team at the US Embassy near Monrovia, LNBA President, Cllr. Taiwon S. Gongloe briefed the Ambassador about the level of work the bar is doing particularly with access to justice through its five legal aid clinics, and the building of a transparent financial system which has enabled the bar to move towards financial independence and it’s advocacy for accountability through the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.”

The release adds:” Cllr. Gongloe stressed the need for direct USAID support to the LNBA and assured the US Ambassador that the LNBA has a strong institutional framework for accountability that was built with support from LPACP. He said with direct USAID, the LNBA will extend its Legal Aid Clinics to remaining 10 counties of Liberia and will assign lawyers in those counties to enhance access to justice.”

In respond, Ambassador McCarthy said the United States is interested in supporting organizations that subscribe to strengthening the rule of law, accountability and the creation of enabling environment where private citizens can work and achieve their full potential.

“Ambassador McCarthy acknowledged the LNBA as having reputation of promoting rule of law and the United States is interested in such organization,” the released quoted Ambassador McCarthy.

Also, the release added that the LNBA on Thursday received the UNDP Resident Representative and Coordinator in Liberia, Mr. Stephen Rodriques and a team of delegation from the UNDP office in Monrovia.

The release said during the meeting, the LNBA updated the UNDP Resident Coordinator about its progressive engagements with strengthening the rule of law.

“LNBA President further briefed the UNDP Team about the need to support the bar access to justice program through the advocacy by for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court to brin to closure the narratives of the Liberian Civil war,” the release quoted the LNBA President.

In respond, the UNDP Resident Coordinator, Stephen Rodriques pledged the UNDP’s support to the LNBA quest for the adherence to the rule of law, access to justice and its call for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia.