Truth or Reconciliation Mechanism – 2004

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Truth or Reconciliation Mechanism – 2004

2004

Intermediate Implementation Intermediate implementation

On January 7, 2004, a three-day Technical Work Session, hosted by the National Human Rights Center of Liberia (NHRCL) in collaboration with the Liberia Democracy Watch (LDW) and the NGO Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG), was held regarding the draft act establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The UN Mission in Liberia was providing technical support and advice on establishing the commission. The workshop was created with the intention of reviewing the draft act.1 In late January, Chairman Bryant appointed members of the Truth and Reconciliation commission. Some parties, however, argued that the chairman did not meet the procedural requirement of consulting with the Transitional Legislative assembly before deciding on candidates.2

The TRC was finally established on February 2, 2004. Rev. Dr. Burgess Carr was appointed chair of the eight-member commission.3 During a news briefing in the first week of May, the commissioners of the TRC said that the TRC would intend to “go from city to city, village to village and town to town to keep citizens abreast of the significance of the commission in the quest for genuine and lasting peace in Liberia.”4

In a significant development, a member of the TRC, Attorney Moffie Kanneh, resigned once he was appointed spokesperson for the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD).5

In order to progress forward, on August 13, 2004 the TRC sent the TRC Draft Act to the Chairman of the Transitional Government. The TRC Draft Act proposed to investigate “perpetrators of massacres, sexual offences, murder, economic crimes, extra-judicial killings, and all incidents of gross human rights abuses and violations, whether isolated or part of a systematic pattern from January 1979 up to the establishment of the TRC.”6

  1. “Liberia; Human Rights Groups Finish Workshop on Truth And Reconciliation Draft,” Africa News, January 7, 2004.
  2. “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council (S/2004/229), March 22, 2004.
  3. “Liberia; JPC Boss Chairs Elections Commission as Govt. Constitutes Five Commissions,” Africa News, February 2, 2004.
  4. “Liberia; Truth Commission Speaks Out,” Africa News, May 5, 2004.
  5. “Liberia; Commissioner Resigns From Truth Commission After Accepting Factional Appointment,” Africa News, June 11, 2004.
  6. “Liberia; Truth Commission Wants Cases Heard From 1979, Presents Draft Act to Govt,” Africa News, August 17, 2004.