LCL-THRP Concludes Access to Justice Conference

The Lutheran Church in Liberia has concluded a one-day Access to Justice Conference in Monrovia. The program, held under the theme: Liberty and Justice for All, is a Civil Peace Service 963 Mano River Project for returning migrants, drug users, prison inmates, and community dwellers.

Providing an overview of the project, Rev. Philip Nushann, Director of the LCL-THRP, explained that with support from Bread for the World in Germany, the program has undertaken a range of interventions. These interventions, according to Reverend Nushann are aimed at improving the lives of marginalized groups in Liberia. He noted that THRP has been actively working with returning migrants, drug users, and other vulnerable populations to address the challenges they face and to support their reintegration into society.

Rev. Nushann added that the project also engages key stakeholders, including community leaders, government institutions, and civil society organizations, to ensure a coordinated approach toward achieving its objectives. According to him, these collaborative efforts are essential for strengthening protection mechanisms, expanding access to services, and advancing the program’s broader goals of promoting dignity, inclusion, and social justice.

Structured into two sections, the conference began with welcome remarks, a keynote address, presentations, and a panel discussion. Panelists included a representative for the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, on the Role of the Armed Forces of Liberia in Promoting Access to Justice; a presentation by the Liberia National Police on the Rule of Law, Arrest, and Detention: A Critical Look at the Liberia National Police, Prolonged Pre-trial Detention: Causes and Effects on the Liberia Justice System, and Combating Drugs and Mob Violence: The Role of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) in Promoting Sustainable Peace and Cohesion.

During the discussion, Assistant Minister of Justice for Rehabilitation and the Bureau of Corrections, Atty. Gabriel F. Ndupellar, clarified that the release of a pre-trial detainee is a judicial function and can only be carried out upon the order of a competent court.

Similarly, the release of a convicted person follows strict legal and procedural pathways, such as completion of a sentence, a court-ordered action, or an executive clemency process when applicable. He underscored that adherence to these procedures is essential to maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that the justice system functions with transparency, accountability, and respect for due process.

Counselor Beyan G. Mulbah, a lawyer with the Nobel Partners Law Firm in Monrovia, delivered presentations on human rights, the justice system, and the functioning of the courts. During his remarks, he outlined the procedures related to summons, arrest, and detention, explaining each step to ensure participants clearly understood how these processes are intended to operate under the law.

He further elaborated on the fundamental rights guaranteed to every individual within the justice system, particularly those related to due process. Counselor Mulbah emphasized that knowing these rights is essential for safeguarding personal freedoms and preventing abuses. His presentation aims to strengthen participants’ awareness of legal protections and to equip them with the knowledge needed to support others who may encounter challenges while navigating the justice system.

Speaking at the close of the conference, Mr. Victor Kaydor, General Secretary of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, extended his appreciation to all participants for their active engagement in the Access to Justice Conference. He noted that the discussions, presentations, and shared experiences were intended to deepen understanding of justice-related issues and strengthen participants’ capacity to advocate within their communities.

Mr. Kaydor expressed hope that the knowledge gained, particularly by students and emerging professionals, would be applied to support individuals who face barriers in accessing justice. He emphasized that the conference was not merely an academic exercise but a platform to equip attendees with practical skills and insights that can help advance fairness, transparency, and equal treatment under the law across Liberia.

In her remarks, Madam Decontee E. George, Coordinator of the Civil Peace Service (CPS), expressed appreciation to LCL-THRP for implementing the Access to Justice Program. Speaking on behalf of CPS, she commended the initiative as a strategic and thoughtful approach to advancing the shared objectives of CPS and LCL-THRP, particularly in promoting peace, justice, and sustainable development in Liberia.

Madam George emphasized that empowering citizens with knowledge about their rights and the laws governing the country is essential for building a more accountable society. When individuals understand legal processes and their own protections under the law, she noted, they are better positioned to prevent rights violations, seek redress when necessary, and contribute meaningfully to maintaining peace and order within their communities.

She reaffirmed CPS’s commitment to continued collaboration with LCL-THRP and other partners to advance civic awareness, improve access to justice, and promote a culture of respect for human rights in Liberia.

She commended Rev. Phillip Nushann and the LCL team, the panelists, and all who help to make the program a success. In a call to the young people attending the conference, she encouraged them to have the right information for advocacy. She called for a strong and sustained collaboration between law enforcement, civil society organizations, churches, ministries, and agencies to ensure that people have access to justice.

The program brought together students from several high schools, community members, and representatives of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Lutheran Church in Liberia.