PFL decries weak justice system here

The Prison Fellowship of Liberia or PFL has described Liberia’s Justice System as weak and dormant. The Prison Fellowship said as a result, many citizens were afraid and reluctant to take the matter to court to seek legal judgment.

The PFL, which also described the Liberian Justice system as dormant, also called on Judges of various subordinate courts to practice fair judgment to encourage Liberians to develope more interest in the system, instead of discouraging citizens by circumventing justice.

The PFL made the called last weekend in Clara Town on Bushrod Island during a local Justice Empowerment forum. Speaking to residents of Clara Town and other communities, the Head of PFL in Liberia, Rev. Francis Kollie, said the court must be seen as a place where citizens can find rescue in terms of true justice.

“Even in the developing world, citizens can express serious disappointment in their judicial system, but not in the case of Liberia,” Rev. Kollie said, noting that the reason why many citizens were reluctant in the judicial system of Liberia, was because of the way and manner in which judges are handing court cases. According to him, many Liberians have been denied their rights whenever they take their cases to court – something, he said, was not a good practice by the court, saying the court was established specifically to settle disputes between two parties.

Rev. Francis Kollie said his organization was executiing this initiative for Liberians to understand the importance of the Justice System, its essence, as well as purpose of its establishment, others. Rev. Kollie noted that the PFL advocates for others to have equity in.

The clergyman added that the PFL organization was working in some major communities in the country to help deal with the high rate of injustices matters and other matters that violate the rights of the peaceful citizens.

He said his organization was running a program that deals with the justice system under the sponsorship of OSI. Also speaking was the traffic commander of the Zone Ten Police Depot – Vamunyan M. Dorley who noted that the training and awareness by the PFL will enable community residents to understand how to fight for their rights, as well as handle the matters whenever their rights are violated.

By Lewis S. Teh