Liberia on the Path of Reconciliation
November 21st, 2006 | Published in Advocacy, Africa, America, Human Rights, Liberia | 1 Comment
The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) begins its arduous task of investigating the root causes of the conflict in Liberia. The commission is “gathering statements in one of the most ambitious efforts ever by such a commission”, since it “will be the first time that such an investigation has reached so far into the ranks of people who were scattered by a prolonged conflict,” writes a local newspaper in Minnesota.
There are an estimated 25,000 Liberians in [tag]Minnesota[/tag], the largest in the United States; several of whom were victims and perpetrators of violence during the 14 year conflict killed about a quarter million people.
The first TRC was conducted after the Apartheid regime fell in South Africa, although there were some dissenting opinions on the efficacy of that commission, several countries have instituted similar commissions.
Supported by the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, the TRC’s findings will be “one of the key building blocks in the process of transition”, since it plans to give a full account of the multitude of human rights abuse that occurred during the war.
Hopefully, the findings of the commission will prevent the repetition of future occurrences and contribute to ongoing investigation and eventual prosecution of perpetrators. The trial of the chief perp. of war crimes, [tag]Charles Taylor[/tag], will commence in The Hague in April 2007.
There is even talks of granting full reparations to victims of war crime. Although this is somewhat a head-scratcher; nonetheless, the general idea of reconciliation is a welcome and desirable one.
Related Article: Submission to the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission
December 3rd, 2006 at 11:13 pm (#)
[…] Several weeks back this blog discussed the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) activities in Minnesota. Since the American mid-western state of Minnesota houses the largest community of Liberians in America, and the TRC has been really busy here getting testimony of war crimes and other atrocities committed during the Liberian conflict. The Liberian TRC is unique because it’s the first time that such an investigation has reached so far into the ranks of people who were scattered by a prolonged conflict. It’s heartbreaking to read that the commission has been suspended due to lack of funds: “After three weeks of work in the field, we have recalled statement-takers because we have not been able to pay them,†the TRC’s acting chairman Deddeh Dolopai told reporters. “We have decided to take this decision because of lack of funds,†she said. Read more, via VisionOnlne […]