As Liberia engages in significant discussions about establishing a long-awaited war crimes court, international justice experts are stressing the importance of explicitly criminalizing forced marriage, which was notably prevalent during the civil wars. The experts indicate that many of the draft bills for the court include forced marriage as a crime against humanity, but some do not, which raises concerns about its potential omission from legal proceedings. Without a clear legal definition, there is a risk that this severe abuse, which affected countless individuals, particularly women and girls during the conflict, could be overlooked in the pursuit of justice.

Elise Keppler, the executive director of the U.S.-based Global Justice Center, highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that ignoring forced marriage might undermine the effectiveness of the war crimes court. Despite Liberia's international obligations to outlaw forced marriage, the practice remains unaddressed within the nation's domestic law. The call for its inclusion in the court's founding statute aims not only to recognize the suffering endured by countless victims but also to establish a robust framework for accountability and justice that acknowledges all forms of violence against women during the civil wars.

The debate surrounding the war crimes court and the inclusion of forced marriage as a crime reflects broader issues of justice and reconciliation in Liberia. Moving forward, it is crucial for lawmakers to consider the implications of their decisions on survivors and the overall credibility of the judicial process. Experts believe that implementing robust legal frameworks that encompass all violations, including forced marriage, is vital to uphold human rights and foster healing in a nation still grappling with the legacy of its turbulent past.