UN Secretary-General Special Representative to Liberia, Karin Landgren, has said the country “needs a justice system that the people can trust.”

Addressing managers of Liberia’s media institutions in Monrovia recently, Landgen pointed out that the justice system needs to be strengthened in tandem with building the

capacity of the police.

Landgen noted that “too many Liberians have suffered excessive pre-trial detention under the current justice system.”

She indicated that juvenile justice is underdeveloped and reports of sexual and gender-based violence continue to rise in the aftermath of the Ebola epidemic.

Landgren recalled the immense challenges to security when Ebola was at its height, and the “well-found fear” of Ebola entering the prison system.

She noted, however, that Liberia is developing a post-Ebola recovery plan, urging that justice and security requirements become part of the plan.

Meanwhile, Landgren has said compared to the police, far less of the UNMIL Force responsibilities will need to be transferred to the Armed Forces of Liberia, noting “one critical one, however, is engineering.”

She added that UNMIL maintains UN military units that work on engineering and transport, and helps maintain a significant road network, especially in the west of the country.

According to Landgren, UNMIL’s transition is broader than the handover of security responsibilities.

“Indeed, the completion of the security handover does not necessary imply the closure of UNMIL. The Security Council will ultimately decide how to reconfigure the mission and when to close it,” she added.
LINA