The Carter Center Blog » Rule of Law

Public Radio International Highlights Judicial System in Liberia

The Carter Center — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:37:54 +0000

Public Radio International’s “The World” examines Liberia’s struggle with land disputes, as citizens return home after the war to find others living on land they claim as their own, in a story aired Aug. 3. The story also features the Carter Center’s John Hummel, who explains the country’s need for both a modern legal system and tribal justice system, and the Center’s weekly radio show that explains basic legal concepts, such as the difference between a civil and criminal court matter, to rural Liberians.

Listen to the full story here: http://www.theworld.org/2010/08/03/liberia-land-disputes-laura-cunial/

The Carter Center has worked since 2006 with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to strengthen formal systems of justice, educate citizens on their rights, and to strengthen indigenous dispute resolution capacity in ways consistent with the law.

Filed under: Liberia, Rule of Law

Carter Center Honored by Traditional Council of Liberia, Transitions to New Country Representative

The Carter Center — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:32:08 +0000

The National Traditional Council of Liberia (NTC) recently honored Carter Center efforts in the country at a farewell ceremony for the Center’s outgoing country representative, John Hummel. Hummel was gowned in traditional clothing as a show of appreciation to him and The Carter Center for “its good will to the Liberian people,” describing him as “a son whom they will always miss.” The Center will continue its access to justice project under new country representative Chelsea Payne, who will continue working with the NTC under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In an AllAfrica.com article about the event, NTC Chairman Chief Zazan Kawah said “he was particularly impressed with the cordial working relationship between the council and the Carter Center over the past few years,” describing the working atmosphere as rewarding. He also said he was pleased with the manner in which Hummel and the Carter Center’s staff engaged with them and that it was “now time for the traditional people to appreciate the Center for its numerous contributions made in Liberia’s peace-building process, as well as the many assistance rendered the country’s justice system aimed at strengthening the rule of law.”

Carter Center Country Representative John Hummel receives a farewell gift from National Traditional Council Chairman Chief Zanzan Kawar. Photos by Pewee Flomoku/The Carter Center.

Carter Center staff and members of the National Traditional Council in front of the organization’s headquarters in Monrovia, Liberia.

Filed under: Latest News, Liberia, Rule of Law

Voice of America Features Carter Center’s Access to Justice Project in Liberia

The Carter Center — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:26:52 +0000

The Carter Center’s new initiative to help Liberia’s indigenous leaders manage local disputes was recently featured by Voice of America. The Center’s efforts follow a 15-county consultation on the rule of law with traditional leaders in 2009, and a request from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Traditional Council for help strengthening the capacity of local leaders to resolve disputes, consistent with the law, as an important means of maintaining and building the peace throughout the country.

Filed under: Liberia, Media Coverage, Rule of Law

Community Legal Advisors Help Ensure Rural Citizens Have Access to Justice

The Carter Center — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:39:08 +0000

Working with monitors from the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), The Carter Center supports legal advice services in marginalized rural communities through a network of 32 Community Legal Advisors (CLAs) in eight counties.

Click image below to watch video.

CLAs are either stationed in major towns or travel from village to village as ‘mobile’ monitors. They offer free advice on how navigate the formal and informal legal systems and also offer mediation services and advocacy assistance. The JPC monitors police cells, prisons, and courts, referring cases to Carter Center lawyers where necessary.

Since January 2008, CLAs have opened more than 1,700 cases and closed over 1,200. The most common case types include land and property disputes, debt, child abandonment, family problems, assault, and breach of contract.

Filed under: Liberia, Peace, Rule of Law, Videos