Press Release, 25 November 2007 UNMIL/PIO/PR/142
Outgoing UN Envoy says rule of law essential for social and economic development of Liberia
Harper, Maryland County, Liberia – The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) took another step to further strengthen the rule of law in Liberia when outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Mr. Alan Doss, handed over recently renovated Circuit and Magistrate’s courts in southeastern Maryland County, close to Liberia’s border with Côte d’Ivoire.
“Without the rule of law, social and economic development cannot be accomplished,” Mr. Doss said.
He added that the “rule of law is the firmest pillar of good government”. The UN Envoy urged the people of Maryland County to respect and support the court’s work to enable it to serve as a true embodiment of the rule of law in the community. He called on all citizens to work closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent and deal with crime.
Noting his impending departure from Liberia SRSG Doss reassured the people of Maryland that UNMIL was not leaving Liberia.
In his remarks, Maryland County Superintendent Sie-Teba Neufville thanked UNMIL for its support to the Judiciary and called on the outgoing envoy to use his influence to promote the tourism, agricultural and mining potentials of the county.
The court’s renovation was undertaken by UNMIL, through its Quick Impact Projects initiative. So far, UNMIL has constructed and rehabilitated nine courthouses, while work is ongoing on five others. In addition, 24 police stations and 7 correctional facilities have been renovated or constructed throughout Liberia. UNMIL has also been facilitating the training of court officers and lawyers to serve as defense and prosecution attorneys to ensure the prompt and fair adjudication of cases throughout the country.
Following the handover ceremony at the courthouse, Mr. Doss, was honoured by people of Maryland for his outstanding contribution to the county and to Liberia while serving as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia. Performing the honouring ceremony, Superintendent Neufville praised his leadership and thanked him for the fulfillment of the promises that he had made to the County during past visits.
The UN Envoy was accompanied by the new Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Rule of Law, Mrs. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu. Among others attending the ceremony were the Administrator of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Cllr. John N.J.J. Caranda, representing the Chief Justice, Resident Judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Maryland, Mr. Nelson Tokpa, Acting City Mayor Josiah Jones, and a number of senior local and UNMIL officials.
