….Say Lack of Coordination Strangulates Access To Justice
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has changed the Government to coordinate to remove barriers that prevent access to justice. The Association asserts that the Government’s intervention, and funding to ensure a comprehensive rebranding of the Judiciary, thereby ensuring access to justice for all as guaranteed under the Constitution of Liberia.
“Moreover, we as judicial actors, law enforcement officers, and the Government must exert and combine our very best efforts to remove the barriers that hinder the fair and equitable access to justice, which is critical to restoring confidence in the justice system.”
Speaking at the National Convention of the Liberia National Bar Association in Ganta, Nimba County on Friday, November 29, 2024, the Association of Female Lawyers through its national president, Atty. Philomena Williams stated that the Legislative Impasse at the House of Representatives places a challenge to the rule of law that may erode the peace and security of Liberia.
“AFELL views the action of our Government in recent times relating to Legislative leadership as a challenge to the Rule of Law, which has the propensity to erode peace and security.
We call on the three branches of the Government to please effectively coordinate the governance of the Liberian people’s business.”
She provided that AFELL has for over 30 years through its Legal Aid Clinic provided access to Justice for the people of Liberia through mediation and litigation. However, providing Access to Justice “for all” is a challenge.
Atty. William stated that as AFELL provides pro-bono legal services to many, the association is faced with additional barriers that prevent an increase in access to justice and the success of the justice system.
AFELL continued by intimating that the three branches of the Government are not coordinating as provided for in the Constitution and are not encouraging adherence to the rule of law, but rather are concerned about interference.
“Nevertheless, how can we effectively collaborate to ensure increased access to justice in resolving personal and political disputes when the three branches of the Government are not coordinating as provided for in the Constitution and are not encouraging adherence to the rule of law, but rather are concerned about interference.”
However, the president of the female lawyers asserted that to achieve the principles of Separate but coordinated branches of Government, the Constitution articulates many checks and balances among the three branches of the Government.
Atty. William added that the rule of law provides benchmarks in the separation of power and check and balance, separating the powers to legislate, execute, and adjudicate. No one branch of government is more powerful than the other, or above the rule of law.
