Joseph O. Sayon
The Keynote speaker of the 2019 annual conference of the African Bar Association, Kharim Khan, is cautioning the ABA to be careful not to be hijacked by people with vested interest.
Cllr. Khan said manipulation of the ABA and other Bar Associations has the propensity to undermine their integrity.
He noted that Lawyers have the responsibility to protect the rights of everyone irrespective of their background describing the rule of law as a foundation on which society is built upon.
Cllr. Khan further urged members of the ABA to uphold the ethnic of the legal profession as justice requires principle and discipline that should not be polluted by self-interest.
Mr. Khan, however, acknowledged advocacies by the Liberian Council of Churches, Liberia Muslim Council, inter-religious Council, National traditional Council of Liberia among others, to use justice to ensure that people account for their action.
The African Bar Association (ABA) has spoken strongly of the need to set up Tribunals in African Countries.
The President of the African Bar Association, Cllr. Hannibal Wilford, said the setting-up of tribunals in African Countries would bring to justice perpetrators of war crimes on the Continent.
Cllr. Wilford assured that the ABA will continue pushing to ensure that war criminals on the Continent account for their action through the justice system.
He also noted that the ABA will further ensure that individuals engaged in raining terror and other forms of undemocratic practices in some African Countries are brought to justice.
The President of the African Bar Association added that Victims of the Sierra Leone Civil war have also requested the African Bar Association to address their plea by bringing to justice people who perpetrated the foregone civil war in that country.
Cllr. Wilford spoke Monday in Congo Town at the Ministerial Complex at the start of the African Bar Association 2019 Annual Conference.
The President of the Liberia Bar Association, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, says not much have been achieved in the areas of respect for human rights and the rule of law in most part of Africa.
Speaking Monday at the start of the Annual Conference of the African Bar Association, Cllr Gongloe said respect for human rights and the rule of law are the two pillars required for a building of a democratic society.
He noted that the struggled of Africans against Colonial and Military rules was to establish democracy as a foundation for the development of Africa.
Cllr. Gongloe however, emphasized the importance for free expression to be void of insults in the interest of decency and the promotion of the culture of peace.
Cllr. Gongloe wants government promote free expression which will lead to the building of a free society as democracy is based on the differences opinions.
Respect for Human Right
The President of the Liberia Bar Association, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, says not much have been achieved in the areas of respect for human rights and the rule of law in most part of Africa.
Speaking Monday at the start of the Annual Conference of the African Bar Association, Cllr Gongloe said respect for human rights and the rule of law are the two pillars required for a building of a democratic society.
He noted that the struggle of Africans against Colonial and Military rules was to establish democracy as a foundation for the development of Africa.
Cllr. Gongloe however, emphasized the importance for free expression void of insults to promote decency and the culture of peace.
Cllr. Gongloe urged African governments to promote free expression leading to building a free democratic society based on the differences of opinions. The Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia Cllr. Jamesetta Wolokollie has underscored collective effort as the most effective approach to addressing issues affecting Africa.
Justice Wolokollie noted that quality expertise from diverse professional backgrounds is in dispensable would enhance the growth and development of the Continent.
She said Lawyers as advocacy of justice and the rule of law as well as the driver of diverse problem solving mechanism must promote justice and integrity in the society.
Justice Wolokollie noted that Lawyers have greater responsibilities to promote justice and integrity, raise awareness, inform and influence making processes at all level.
She urged African lawyers attending the ongoing African Bar Association 2019 annual conference to rebranding Africa by ensuring adherence of the rule of law.
