War Crimes Group: 39 Alleged Perpetrators, Alhaj Kromah and Check Kafumba made the list; so called Expert Panel 06/25/09 - Forum for War Crimes Court in Liberia On: List of Personalities Bearing the Greatest Responsibility for Atrocities committed in Liberia; a call for the setting-up of a Panel of Experts, and the Independent Commission on Human Rights… After many years of consistent advocacies for the establishment of a hybrid war crimes tribunal in Liberia, a campaign characterized by great personal peril of varying degrees, we seize upon the time to congratulate representatives of the 15 political subdivisions of the country who congregated for the recent three-simultaneous TRC Regional Consultative meetings, and the just-ended National Conference that signature ‘The Virginia Declaration’ calling for a special court on Liberian soil. We are esteemed to proclaim at this press conference today that the overwhelming call for the immediate establishment of a war crimes court to prosecute those bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violation of international humanitarian law, as inarguably contained in the fifteen-Counties recommendation to the  Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is an unquestionable demonstration that the Liberian people have made an irreversible decision that cannot be denied, nor delayed. In furtherance, the decisions of delegates at these forums illustrate the wisdom of the Liberian people, thereby sending a resounding message that the time has come to give justice to millions of war victims walloping in the valley of despair and lack whilst war criminals continuously benefits from the loots of war, which includes political and economic powers. Indeed, the recent ‘Virginia Declaration’ calling for the immediate setting-up of a UN-backed criminal tribunal in Liberia, epochs a defining moment in our national reconciliation endeavors, and must be seized by the TRC, the international community and Liberians the world over.     Consistent with the TRC’s mandate enshrined in 26g to recommend prosecution for heinous crimes, adhered to in the institution’s preliminary recommendation to the House of Representatives, it is cardinal to point out that there is no authority under Heaven that has the power to forgive war crimes. As such, we wish to announce the beginning of another level of our advocacies in the quest of seeking justice for past abuses. Subsequently, as of now, and in months to come, we will hence dedicate our energies and strategies to the: a.       Unconditional institutionalization of the Independent Commission on Human Rights, as called for by the TRC act; b.      Immediate setting-up of a Panel of Experts on Liberia to determine the extent to which individuals and warring factions committed atrocities, and those bearing the greatest responsibility in the widespread commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violation of international humanitarian law; c.       Call and campaign for the unconditional resignation of all suspected war criminals hiding behind the privileged powers of the three branches of government. d.      Travel restrictions on all suspected war criminals to keep them under close monitoring and easy accessibility Therefore, after a prolong data-gathering efforts, coupled with details gleaned from the TRC’s Institutional and Thematic Hearings, we hereby release to the public a first phase of individuals we believe the TRC ought to recommend to face prosecution for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Whilst we have catalogued more than one-hundred suspected war criminals bearing the greatest responsibility for various abuses, we hereby publish thirty-nine individuals, and look forward to publishing the rest in a periodic manner. And we have every reason to suggest that the weight of the evidence against these individuals cannot permit their exclusion from the TRC’s final recommendation for prosecution.   At the same time, whilst there can be absolutely no amnesty for heinous crimes, irrespective of shown remorse or quest for forgiveness, we call on the TRC to grant forgiveness to all former combatants who may have committed war crimes before age 18, consistent with international law and precept. Most youths in this category were drugged, conscripted, and illegally recruited and transformed into killing machines. In this case, their recruiters must face criminal charges for their crimes, giving those (youths) another opportunity to lead a new life already made difficult by successive wars. Inclosing, we thank you for responding to this periodic press conference, which will be held weekly, and we now give you an opportunity to have details of the first thirty-nine individuals bearing the greatest responsibility for the murder of over two-hundred and fifty thousand Liberians between 1979 to 2003. You will find the list attached below: No. Alleged Perpetrator Indictment Institution   1. Charles G. Taylor War crimes, crimes against humanity, recruitment of child soldiers, violation of international law NPFL, GOL 2. Amos C. Sawyer Violation of International Law, crimes against humanity ACDL, ULAA, NPFL 3. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL, ACDL, ULAA 4. Alhaji G.V Kromah War crimes, crimes against humanity, recruitment of child soldiers, violation of international law ULIMO, ULIMO-K   5. Prince Y. Johnson Rape, War crimes, crimes against humanity, recruitment of child soldiers, violation of international law NPFL, INPFL 6. George E. Boley War crimes, crimes against humanity, recruitment of child soldiers, violation of international law LPC 7. Laveli Supuwood War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL, LDF, LPC-Coalition, LURD 8. Sekou D. Konneh War crimes, crimes against humanity, violation of international law LURD 9. Aisha Konneh War crimes, recruitment of child soldiers LURD 10. Sheikh Kafumba Konneh War crimes, crimes against humanity MRLM, ULIMO 11. Charles Taylor,Jr. War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL, GOL 12. Brownie Samukai Crimes against humanity IGNU 13. H. Boima Fahnbulleh War crimes, Crimes against humanity PF(Patriotic Forces), PRC 14. Harry Greaves Crimes against humanity, war crimes PF, NPFL 15. Benjamin Nyetan War crimes, Crimes against humanity, violation of international humanitarian law NPFL, GOL 16. Kai Farley War crimes, Crimes against humanity MODEL 17. Tom worwoiyu War crimes, crimes against humanity, violation of international law NPFL 18. Daniel Chea War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL, GOL 19. Joshua M. Blayee War crimes, crimes against humanity ULIMO-J, LPC 20. Thomas Nimley War crimes, crimes against humanity, recruitment of child soldiers MODEL 21. Roland Duo War crimes, crimes against humanity GOL, NPFL 22. Archie Williams Crimes against humanity Patriotic Forces 23. Ezekiel Parjebo War crimes, Crimes against humanity NPFL 24. Armah Youlu     25.  Weade Kobbah Wureh War crimes, crimes against humanity LPC 26. Adolphus Dolo War crimes, crimes against humanity GOL, NPFL 27. Daniel Johnson War crimes, crimes against humanity, violation of international law GOL, INPFL 28. George Dweh Rape, War crimes, crimes against humanity ULIMO-J 29. Kabineh Ja’ neh War crimes, crimes against humanity LURD 30. Charles Julu War crimes, crimes against humanity AFL, GOL 31. Cyril Allen War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL 32. Joe Gballa War crimes, crimes against humanity LURD 33. Christopher Vambo War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL 34. Ofori Diah War crimes, crimes against humanity LURD 35. Melvin Sogbani War crimes, crimes against humanity GOL, NPFL 36. Coocoo Dennis   GOL, NPFL 37. Joseph Zigzar Marzah War crimes, crimes against humanity GOL,NPFL 38. Randall Cooper War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL 39. Dan Morias War crimes, crimes against humanity NPFL     Signed: _______________            Mulbah K. Morlu, Jr.            National Chairman   FPA