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ADDRESS BY RT REV. DR JOSEPH HUMPER, CHAIRMAN, TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION, ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE COMMISSION ON FRIDAY 5TH JULY 2002. Your Excellency, the President On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I wish to express our appreciation to the President, the International community and the people of Sierra Leone for appointing us to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The road to today has been a long one. The Lomé Peace Accord envisaged that the Commission would be set up within 30 days of the signing of the Agreement. It was recognised that the Commission would be an institution that would enable Sierra Leoneans bring closure to a devastating period of our national history. The need for the Commission is no less today than it was three years ago. All over the country, the scars of the conflict are refusing to heal. The indomitable spirit of our people is enabling them come to grips with the physical reconstruction that is required to rebuild their lives. The social and psychological reconstruction has been less successful. The question many people are asking is, why? Why were we visited with the conflict? Why were civilians the objects of attack rather than opposing armed forces? Why were our women and children made objects of pleasure and abuse in the course of the war? Why were our buildings and other infrastructure deliberately and systematically targeted? What happened to our loved ones who are yet to return home even now that the war has ended? People need answers to these questions. Even if the loved ones were killed in the course of the war, the families and relatives need to know, so that at the least, they can give them a decent burial. These are no mean expectations. But our people are entitled to these explanations and more. It is only by grappling with these issues that we can chart an acceptable road map for the future and say, "Never Again". My colleagues and I fully appreciate the challenges before us. I wish to put on record our commitment to discharging the onerous duties that have been imposed on us by this appointment. The conflict in Sierra Leone was unique in several respects. Our truth commission therefore cannot adopt a prescribed model as the answer to dealing with the conflict. Our approach shall be uniquely Sierra Leonean, at all times guided by what is in the best interests of the people of Sierra Leone. We shall listen to the people of Sierra Leone wherever they may be. The Commission cannot turn away anyone who wants to talk to an officer or staff of the Commission. In accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Act, we shall pay special attention to the needs of women and children. This Commission shall be victim driven. People need to have their experiences validated and recognised. There is no family, village, community, chiefdom or district that has not been affected by the conflict one way or the other. To that extent, we are all victims of the conflict. To do all of the above requires substantial resources. The International Community made a commitment under the Lomé Peace Agreement to assist Sierra Leone in establishing and sustaining a truth and reconciliation commission. The Commission has now been set up. This is now the time to stand up and be counted. I recognise that the international community has made substantial commitments already to the transition process in Sierra Leone and in setting up the preparatory process for the Commission. What is required is the extra commitment to see the work through. We are also expecting substantial assistance from the government of our country. Within the shortest possible time, my colleagues and I shall come to you, your Excellency, Mr President, with our shopping list, and we hope that the government shall oblige us. I thank all the dignitaries present here today for honouring us with your presence. I urge you and all Sierra Leoneans to pray for us as we embark on this national assignment. With your prayers and God on our side, we shall not fail. Thank you and God bless. |