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Liberia's Security Sector Legislation

1 January, 2008

Authors

Description

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Part I

General Legislation

A. The Constitution of the Republic of Liberia
B. National Defense Law 52
C. Comprehensive Peace Agreement Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Liberia (GOL), The Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), The Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) and the Political Parties

Part II

Legislative Acts on Executive Oversight Institutions
A. Ministry of Justice
The Executive Law, Chapter 22. Ministry of Justice, Subchapter A. Organization of Ministry, §22.1-14.
B. Ministry of National Defence
The Executive Law, Chapter 24. Ministry of National Defense, §24.1-6.
C. Ministry of National Security
An Act to Repeal Chapter 2, Sub-Chapter B of the Executive Law Establishing the Office of National Security and to Amend the Executive Law to Create and Establish in the Executive Branch of Government a Ministry to Be Knownas the Ministry of National Security.
D. National Security Council
An Act to Establish the National Security Council of the Republic of Liberia.

Part III

Legislative Acts on Security Sector Agencies

A. Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization
An Act Adopting A New Aliens and Nationality Law.
B. National Security Agency
An Act Repealing Sub-chapter D of Chapter 1, Part 1 and Sub-chapter B of Chapter 22, Part II of the Executive Law in Relation to the Executive Action Bureau and the National Bureau of Investigation and Creating the National Security Agency.
C. National Fire Service
The Executive Law, Chapter 22. Ministry of Justice, Subchapter A. Organization of Ministry, §22.8.3.
D. Drug Enforcement Agency
An Act to Amend Chapter 22 of the New Executive Law to Provide for the Addition of Sub-Chapter F Creating and Establishing the Drug Enforcement Agency.
E. National Bureau of Investigation
An Act to Amend the Provisions of the New Executive Law to Provide for the Re-establishment of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
F. Liberian National Police
An Act to Amend the Executive Law with Respect to the National Police Force.
Decree by the People’s Redemption Council of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Repealing Subchapter E of Chapter 22 of the Executive Law in Relation to the National Public Safety Institute and Creating Instead the National Police TrainingAcademy.
G. Special Security Service
An Act to Amend the Executive Law to Create a Special Security Service.

About Thomas Jaye 178

Abstract

This publication is the result of an Interactive Needs Assessment on Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector in Liberia, which was held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre from the 28th to the 30th of March 2007. During this meeting the need for easy access to the security laws of Liberia became apparent. It is envisaged that through effective oversight by their elected representatives, Liberians can effectively take the reins of security governance, and in so doing avoid further violent conflict.

Such an outcome can only derive from the rule of law, and it is essential that legislators and other stakeholders (civil society, the media, Liberian security institutions and the general public) are aware of, and have easy access to the legal framework for security provision and governance in Liberia. This publication is a response to that need, and follows in the list of DCAF’s publications of the security laws of several states undergoing security sector reform, including Ukraine, Georgia, Guatemala and Turkey.

English