Carter’s Post-War Rule Of Law Contribution To Liberia Reflected By: Yassah J Wright

The Liberian National Bar Association has extended messages of condolences to the United States Government and its people for the passion of their 39th President, Jimmy Carter, while extolling him for his contribution and role played in strengthening Liberia post-war rule of law program.

Accordingly, the LNBA in a statement release over the weekend under the signature of its National Secretary General, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, said  they mourn the passing of the 39th President of the United States of America,  Jimmy Carter in his 100 years.  The Bar said President Carter will be remembered for his selfless and unflinching support to Liberia’s post conflict Rule of Law program which served as a catalyst to enhance access to justice for all. ” The LNBA MOURNS THE PASSING OF THE 39 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER IN HIS 100TH YEAR EXTOLS HIM FOR HIS MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO LIBERIA’S POST CONFLICT RULE OF LAW PROGRAM” the LNBA noted.  President Carter, who served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, was renowned for his unwavering commitment to human rights, democracy, and humanitarian efforts worldwide. His post-presidential endeavors, particularly through the Carter Center, have left an indelible mark on global health and peace initiatives especially in Liberia.  Reflecting on President Carter’s legacy, the LNBA noted that President Carter’s dedication to promoting peace and human dignity resonates deeply with the values they hold dear in Liberia. LNBA added his efforts in advancing democracy and human rights have been a beacon of hope for many nations, including Liberia.  The LNBA said the Carter Center’s Rule of Law Program (formerly known as Global Access to information), successfully worked in partnership with the UNBA, GOL, Civil Society, International and regional bodies to improve governance and transform lives through a meaningful right to Access to Information and Justice. The LNBA in a release said the Carter Center’s Rule of Law Project in Liberia successfully partnered with the Ministry of Justice and the LNBA to identify rural justice needs, develop and implement civil education messages, and immediate short-term gaps to strengthen the formal Justice System. Overtime, the LNBA noted that the project expanded partnering with different actors to deliver sustained impact. On a specific note, the Carter Center and the LNBA in June of 2022, executed an MoU to provide Pro-Bono Legal Assistance to citizens in need across Bong, Nimba ,Lofa and Grand Gedeh Counties. The initiative was carried out through the voluntary efforts of the LNBA in its quest to always improve access to justice.  However, the ten-month agreement obligated LNBA members to provide legal representation in cases received by The Carter Center (TCC) and its CSO partners.  These cases typically involved individuals or families effected by prolonged pretrial detention, a need for due process, habeas corpus support, including the accomplishment of survivors of sexual and gender-based valence (SGBV). Under the terms of the agreement, The Carter Centers (TCC) assumed responsibility for covering all associated casts, including lodging, transportation. per diem filing fees and photocopying. The overall support for this endeavor came from the US State Department Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) The collaborative efforts in the partnership encompassed various stages, including the identification of cases, engagement with LNBA’s leadership recruitment, and regular briefings of lawyers, case review, development of deployment and field engagement plans, actual deployment, and execution of duties In a related development, the INBA consoled President Joe Biden, the government and people of the United States of America for the irreplaceable loss of an international legal icon whose passing has left a vale in the global legal community.