Witness and Whistleblower Protection Law Amendments
Review of proposed amendments to Liberia's Witness Protection Act and Whistleblower Act to strengthen safeguards, accountability and incentives for persons who report serious wrongdoing or assist justice processes.
Where this project sits in the reform process
Current recorded stage: Drafting. The pathway above is an indicative public view of the reform cycle; individual projects may follow different sequences.
Overview
In 2026, the Ministry of Justice and Witness Protection Agency led a review of amendments to the Witness Protection Act of 2021 and Whistleblower Act of 2021. The Law Reform Commission participated alongside anti-corruption, rule-of-law and civil-society institutions. A high-level technical review was held in May, followed by legislative engagement in September as the amendment package moved toward final drafting.
Project scope
- Area of law
- Criminal Justice
- Geographic scope
- National
- People affected
- Witnesses; whistleblowers; victims; justice-sector institutions; anti-corruption institutions; civil society; public officials
- Commenced
- 5 May 2026
- Public participation
- See published consultations and project updates
Issue, objectives and review questions
The issueWhy reform is being consideredThe existing legal framework established witness and whistleblower protections but implementation gaps, retaliation risks, institutional…
The existing legal framework established witness and whistleblower protections but implementation gaps, retaliation risks, institutional coordination challenges and questions concerning incentives have limited the system's practical effectiveness.
ObjectivesWhat the reform seeks to achieveStrengthen protection against retaliation; improve confidentiality safeguards; clarify institutional responsibilities; strengthen enforcement…
Strengthen protection against retaliation; improve confidentiality safeguards; clarify institutional responsibilities; strengthen enforcement and penalties for unlawful disclosure or retaliation; improve incentives and reporting confidence; and support an operational framework that can protect witnesses and whistleblowers in corruption and other serious cases.
Key questionsQuestions guiding the reviewHow should retaliation and unlawful disclosure be penalised? What safeguards are required for confidentiality and physical protection? How…
How should retaliation and unlawful disclosure be penalised? What safeguards are required for confidentiality and physical protection? How should witness and whistleblower protection responsibilities be coordinated? What incentives can encourage lawful reporting without undermining integrity or due process?
Project outcome
A technical review was held in May 2026 and a third and final legislative engagement took place in September 2026. Recommendations from the engagement are expected to inform the final amendment package.
