In collaboration with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights announced the US launch of the commission on June 22, 2006 at noon in the rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol building.
Mirroring the work of the TRC in Liberia, Minnesota Advocates for human rights will take statements from victims of the Liberian conflict now residing in the US. giving voice to the thousands who fled the horrors of the conflict. Never before have refugees resettled in countries like the US been included in the “truth telling” function of truth and reconciliation commission. Minnesota Advocates is recruiting and training volunteer statement takers with the help of the Minnesota Law Firm Pro bono consortium.
In an interview with Jennifer Prestholdt deputy director for the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, she stated that previous records taken over the years will not form a part of this new TRC process, but reiterated that persons benefiting from the services of the organization will be contacted to re-tell their story with one view being to create a historical archive of the horrors of the war in Liberia.
Also speaking at the launch was the president of the OLM, Mrs. Martha Sinoe who emphasized the close ties of the US and Liberia and welcomed the work of the commission. She stated, “Our role as community leaders is to encourage victims to tell their stories and to help them heal their wounds. We are prepared to help in every possible way. No matter the gravity of the pains, the sad story of each Liberian is a sad story of another Liberian, because we are one and the same, brothers and sisters. We have lost a lot and it is time that we ask all of you to join us to bring back the cherished memories of real Liberia, where we live and die as brothers and sisters.”
Present at the program were Robin Phillips, Executive Director of the Minnesota Advocates; Father James Wilson of the Episcopal Church: Marie Hayes and Abdullah Kiatamba, Chair and Co-Chair of the OLM Board of Directors, Mr. Patrick Kugmeh of the Center for Families of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, and Writhers Nyenewea Secretary General of the OLM.
On June 5 2006, speaking at the launch of the TRC of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said, "This commission is our hope, to define the past on our behalf in terms that are seen and believed to be fair and balanced, and bring forth a unifying narrative on which our nation's rebuilding and renewal processes can be more securely anchored."
The Liberian TRC is modeled after the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission established after the fall of apartheid. In 2001, Samuel Wonwi Thompson wrote, “The South African approach, as opposed to a criminal or war crimes tribunal proceedings, was based on the Christian principle of confession and pardon. You will agree that it has been the main reason why South Africa is still in one piece today despite similar horrors and abuses during the Apartheid era. There is a tremendous burden of guilt, trauma and unforgiveness on both the victims and the oppressors in the Liberian crisis that I believe can only be effectively and conclusively dealt with via this approach. The South Africans must have realized the danger that fear, hatred and unforgiveness pose to continued violence and mistrust around the world today."
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a court-like body assembled in South Africa after the end of Apartheid. Anybody who felt they had been a victim of violence could come forward and be heard at the TRC. Perpetrators of violence could also give testimony and request amnesty from prosecution. The hearings made international news and many sessions were broadcast on national television. The TRC was a crucial component of the transition to full and free democracy in South Africa and, despite some flaws, is generally regarded as very successful.
The work of the TRC was accomplished through three committees: Human Rights Violations (HRV) Committee investigated human rights abuses that took place between 1960 and 1994. Reparation and Rehabilitation (R&R) Committee was charged with restoring victims' dignity and formulating proposals to assist with rehabilitation. Amnesty Committee (AC) considered applications for amnesty that were requested in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
In theory the commission was empowered to grant amnesty to those charged with atrocities during Apartheid as long as two conditions were met: The crimes were politically motivated and the entire and whole truth was told by the person seeking amnesty.
No one was exempt from being charged. As well as ordinary citizens, members of the police could be charged and, most notably, members of the African National Congress, the ruling party at the time of the trial, could also be charged.
5392 people were refused amnesty and 849 were granted amnesty, out of 7112 petitioners (there were a number of additional categories, such as withdrawn).
Due to the perceived success of this approach to dealing with human-rights violations after extensive political change, other countries have instituted similar commissions, though not always with the same scope or the allowance for charging of those currently in power.
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