Government Takes Another Step to Speed Up Rape Trials

...President Sirleaf Signs Crime To Criminal Court "D"

The government of Liberia has taken another step to speed up the trial of rape cases in the country. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Thursday signed into law an act to include the trial of rape cases as part of the jurisdiction of Criminal Court ‘D’ of the First Judicial Court.

The Act, submitted by the National Legislature, seeks to ‘Amend Section 24.2.1 Of Chapter 24 Of The New Judiciary Law For Expansion Of The Jurisdiction Of Criminal Court ‘D’ First Judicial Circuit, to Include The Trial Of Rape Cases.’

Criminal Court ‘D’ shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over the crimes of armed robbery, terrorism and hijacking, and shall have original jurisdiction (not exclusive) over the crime of rape.

President Sirleaf addressing an audience on the Tubman Boulevard
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader also signed into law several maritime protocols. Among the protocols signed is an Act to ratify the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, otherwise known as the Bunkers International Convention.

Under the Protocol, all ships registered under the Liberian flag are required to be certificated in order to qualify for entry into various ports around the world.

The protocols signed, further enhance Liberia’s status as the premium maritime entity in the world, and underscore the new vision of the Liberia Maritime program to deliver “best in class” services globally.

Present at the ceremony were the Chairperson of the Senate’s Committee on the Executive, Maryland County Senator, Gloria Scott; Grand Bassa County Senator Gbezongar Findley and the Minister of State for Economic and Legal Affairs, Morris Saytumah