The Criminal Justice Support Foundation for West Africa
The Criminal Justice Support Foundation for West Africa was established in May 2021 as a not-for-profit, charitable and educational institution, to promote the growth and development of justice institutions in the West African region through sustained capacity support and citizens empowerment resulting in adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and the development of a progressive democratic governance system.
The Foundation mobilizes and expends resources to support legal, policy and institutional reform of justice institutions, promote effective civilian oversight of security and justice institutions, provide legal education and empowerment to communities, and enhance the knowledge and skills of criminal justice practitioners.
The Foundation partners with established civil society organizations to undertake interventions to promote accountability, respect for the rule of law, and access to justice, combat gender-based violence, human trafficking, child labor and abuse, mob violence, and other forms of human rights violations.
Key partners of the Foundation are the Civil Society Working Group on Security Sector Reform and Governance, comprising, the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association which has been involved in security sector reform and governance issues since 1996, the Center for Justice and Peace Studies, the Community Watch Forum of Liberia, Citizens Initiative for Dialogue, the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia, Prison Fellowship, Liberia, Rural Human Rights Activist Programme, Criminal Justice Association of Liberia, the Federation of Liberian Youths, and the National Coalition of Civil Society Organization of Liberia, among others. These partners provide valuable support to the Foundation in the implementation of its project.
Quite recently in September 2023, the Foundation collaborated with GIZ to conduct a three-day capacity building training for members of the Civil Society Working Group on SSRG. The training covered key elements of the ECOWAS Policy Framework for SSRG, the role of CSOs in SSRG, Advocacy, Communications, and Monitoring and Evaluation.
The Foundation has a five-member Board of Directors, comprising four lawyers, a human rights gender advocate.
Core Values
Justice
Accountability
Empowerment
Diversity
Collaboration
Respect for the Rule of Law
Innovation
Vision
We aspire to a society where justice institutions are professional, transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the people they serve.
Mission
Our mission is to foster a culture of accountability, advocacy, support to ensure the protection of human rights, and adherence to the Rule of Law.