The National Association of Public Defenders of Liberia (NAPDOL) on Friday opened its 8th Annual Conference at the Temple of Justice, with development partners, justice actors, and legal professionals calling for deeper reforms to strengthen public defense and expand access to justice across the country.
Delivering the keynote address, Aliou Mamadou Dia said public defenders remain indispensable to protecting the rights of ordinary Liberians, especially the poor and vulnerable who lack the means to secure private legal representation.
He commended NAPDOL for sustaining a platform that keeps national attention on justice-sector reforms, stressing that “every person is equal before the law” only when supported by strong institutions and competent legal professionals.
Dia emphasized that without effective public defense, the presumption of innocence is weakened, due process is compromised, and the risk of wrongful convictions increases. Public defenders, he said, “do not merely represent clients; they uphold the integrity of the entire justice system.”
He highlighted access to justice as central to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and sustainable development, noting that more than 65% of Liberia’s prison population consists of pre-trial detainees who often depend solely on public defenders for fair representation.
The United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative announced that strengthening the Public Defense Program is a key priority in UNDP’s upcoming Rule of Law Program. UNDP has been a longstanding partner to the Government of Liberia in building and expanding public defense services.
It has supported capacity building, logistics, equipment, and even financed the initial salaries of public defenders before their integration into the national payroll. Dia also disclosed that UNDP will soon roll out a comprehensive training initiative for public defenders to enhance legal skills, ethical standards, and overall quality of representation.
Speaking on behalf of Philomena T. Williams, President of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia, Cllr. Bowuolo Kelley underscored that the conference Theme, “Enhancing Access to Justice: The Protection of Rights in the Criminal Justice System,” is timely and necessary.
She emphasized that access to justice must prioritize the most vulnerable, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and the indigent. Cllr. Kelley urged continued advocacy for policies and resources that strengthen the ability of public defenders to serve effectively.
She highlighted AFLA’s commitment to gender equity within the legal profession and support for policies that foster fairness, leadership, and equal opportunity for women.
Representing the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Assistant Minister Gabriel F. Ndupellar described the conference theme as timely and deeply reflective of ongoing challenges within Liberia’s criminal justice system. He reported that 2,650 out of 3,768 inmates nationwide are in pre-trial detention, representing a 70% pre-trial detention rate, a figure he described as “alarming.”
According to him, such high numbers are driven by recurrent system failures, including violations of the right to a speedy and fair trial, insufficient court personnel and overloaded magistrates, lack of city solicitors in counties outside Montserrado, absence of public defenders at courts of first instance, and private prosecutors abandoning cases once defendants are remanded.
The Assistant Minister called for stronger collaboration, stating that the BCR is open to partnering with NAPDOL to address systemic barriers and improve inmate rights, rehabilitation, probation, and parole services. As NAPDOL prepares for its upcoming by-elections and induction of new officers, Dia wished the Association a peaceful and transparent process that strengthens public trust.
He reiterated UNDP’s unwavering commitment to supporting Liberia in its pursuit of justice, equity, and the rule of law, adding that strengthening public defense is essential to ensuring no Liberian “stands alone before the law.” The conference continues with panel discussions, training sessions, and strategic planning aimed at enhancing the capacity of public defenders nationwide.
