Monrovia, Liberia — The European Union has thrown its support behind efforts to strengthen Liberia’s witness protection system as the country begins validating a five-year strategic plan for the Witness Protection Agency.
The EU Delegation to Liberia is supporting a two-day review and validation of the Witness Protection Agency’s (WPA) Multi-Year Strategic Plan for 2027–2031, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The exercise has brought together government institutions, civil society organisations, human rights actors and other development and justice-sector partners to assess the proposed priorities and interventions that will shape the agency’s work over the next five years.
Speaking at the opening of the session, EU Policy Officer Solene Coma reaffirmed the bloc’s support for what she described as a victim-centred, inclusive and nationally owned transitional justice process in Liberia.
She stressed that an effective witness protection system is important to accountability and access to justice, particularly for victims, witnesses and human rights defenders who may face risks because of their participation in national processes.
The strategic plan places emphasis on national ownership, clearer institutional responsibilities and stronger coordination among institutions involved in justice and accountability.
It also proposes prioritised and costed activities, with an emphasis on translating the plan into concrete programmes and measurable results.
The validation process is expected to give stakeholders an opportunity to review the proposed priorities, make recommendations and help ensure that the final strategy reflects Liberia’s institutional and justice-sector needs.
The EU said it remains committed to working with Liberian institutions and partners to strengthen justice, accountability and human rights, including efforts to ensure that people who contribute to justice and accountability processes can do so safely.
