Truth or Reconciliation Mechanism – 2002

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The inauguration ceremony of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the swearing-in of its commissioners took place on July 5, 2002. Seven commissioners (four nationals and three internationals) were sworn in. The Commission was expected to submit its report in one year, or, at most, eighteen months, from the day of its establishment. As outlined by the TRC Act of 2000, its objectives were to (a) create an impartial historical record of the violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law related to the armed conflict from the beginning of the conflict in 1991 to the signing of the Lomé Peace Agreement in July 1999; (b) to address impunity; (c) to respond to the needs of the victims; (d) to promote healing and reconciliation; and, (e) to prevent a repetition of the violations and abuses suffered.1

The commission started its work promptly after its establishment.

Truth or Reconciliation Mechanism – 2000

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The Parliament of Sierra Leone approved the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2000 on February 10, 2000. The Act provided an institutional means of establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in line with Article
XXVI of the Lomé Peace Agreement.2

Truth or Reconciliation Mechanism – 1999

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The Lomé Agreement of July 7, 1999 included a provision for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

On July 19, 1999, the European Commission urged the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in order to support a fair and equitable justice system in the country.3

Nothing concrete took place in 1999 in terms of establishing such a Commission.