EIGHTH WEEKLY BRIEFING OF THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION CHAIRED BY PROFESSOR WILLIAM SCHABAS, ON WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2002
Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen!
First Anniversary of September 11 in the U.S
On this fateful day, a year ago in the United States of America, approximately two thousand, eight hundred (2,800) people from ninety-two (92) different countries lost their lives to acts of terrorism in the states of New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. The first attack was at 8:48am in New York, which is 12:48pm in Freetown. The Chairman and the Executive Secretary will be representing the Commission at a short ceremony to commemorate this tragic event at the United States Embassy in Freetown. May we also remember our brothers and sisters who lost their lives during Sierra Leone's ten-year civil war, and the many hundreds of thousands of victims of violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law throughout the world.
Engagements of the Commission
1. Meeting with Leaders and Representatives of Political Parties
Shortly after our last weekly briefing, the Commission hosted a meeting with Leaders and Representatives of the various Political Parties in the country. Six political parties honoured our invitation. These were:
1. The Grand Alliance Party - GAP
2. The Sierra Leone People's Party - SLPP
3. The National Democratic Alliance Party - NDA
4. The All People's Congress Party - APC
5. The Revolutionary United Front Party - RUFP
6. The People's Liberation Party - PLP
The Commission is aware of the importance of collaborating with the political parties whose cooperation with us would mean the cooperation of their supporters who make up the Sierra Leonean populace. The commission needs the total support of every Sierra Leonean for it to successfully fulfil its prescribed mandates.
During our deliberations, several concerns were raised by our Guests. These include:
- Possible reparation for victims
- Activation of the Special Fund for War Victims;
- Witness protection and risk of false testimony
- The financial status of the commission
- National and international support for the commission
The Political Party Leaders and Representatives unanimously agreed that the establishment of the commission is a necessary 'instrument' for lasting peace and prosperity in the country. Pledges of support for the Commission's work, as well as sensitising their supporters on the importance of their participation in the TRC, were made by them.
2. Meeting with Members of Parliament
The Commission also met with Honourable members of the Legislature in the Chamber of Parliament.
Commenting on their importance in the country as the supreme law makers and Representatives of their Regions in that august Body, the Commission implored members of parliament to assist them in sensitising their constituents not only on the necessity of the commission in our post-conflict country, but also their willingness to participate in it.
The Parliamentarians shared similar concerns with the leaders and representatives of the various political parties and also committed their cooperation and support to the Commission.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are happy to report that a Parliamentary sub-committee on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has not only been established but a number of Parliamentarians have already contacted the Commission about their intention of being actively involved in the commission's planned visits to the regions in our 'Barray' Phase.
3. Meeting with the Director of Prisons and Officers
The Commission also visited the Prison's Headquarters to acquaint the Director of Prisons and his officers about the objects of the Commission as well as request for their support and participation in the TRC.
As in the meetings with the political parties and the Parliament, the prisons officers were concerned about reparations issues, and sought clarification of the TRC/Special Court relationship. In response to the issues raised, assurance of anonymity for protection as well as an undertaking to provide proper sensitisation were given by the Commission.
In pledging support to the Commission, the Prisons Director promised to identify a TRC Liaison Officer in his department
4. Meeting with Members of the Police Theatre Group
The TRC Liaison Officer in the Sierra Leone Police Force, Acting Head of Community Relations Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Thomas Lahai, has introduced members of the Police Theatre Group to the Commission. According to Mr Lahai, this group will be working closely with the Commission on its sensitisation and other promotional programmes. This offer of concrete support is welcomed and appreciated. Others are encouraged to make similar gestures.
5. Critical Situation with Respect to Funding
The TRC wishes to recall the critical funding situation. To date, pledges amount to US$1,580,739, of which $1,107,825 has been received, not taking into account the sum of US$97,000 donated by the Government of Sierra Leone and its contribution of the premises of the Commission.
6. Commission's concern about the public's perception of TRC
The Commission has observed that some members of the public are still misconstruing the purpose of the commission and its relationship with the Special Court. The commission would like to inform all that:
- The TRC is Sierra Leonean owned but is totally independent from Government and any other establishment or body.
- The TRC is not a judicial body and it does not prosecute anybody or mete out punishment to anyone.
- The TRC and the Special Court are two different entities with different mandates and mode of operations
- The TRC is not a 'trap' for those appearing before it to be sent before the Special Court.
I thank you for your attention. You can now ask your questions.