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Liberian Commission
Recommends Prosecution of
Those Involved in Past Civil Conflict
By: Ricci Shryock
Courtesy: VOA
June 24, 2009
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia has released its
final report on the civil conflict in Liberia that ended in 2003. The
report recommends that the government prosecute those responsible for
the gross violations of human rights during the country's violent
conflicts that began in 1979 and sporadically continued for the next 24
years.
For Kristen Cibelli the process was an emotional one. As she listened
the to the victims from Liberia's civil conflict tell their stories, she
says the testimony was almost too awful to bear.
"The stories that we are hearing from people are the worst things that
you can ever imagine. It's the stuff of nightmare," she said.
At the end of this month, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of
Liberia, also known as the TRC of Liberia, will formally end its
investigation into the violence, coups and war that plagued the country
during various periods from 1979 to 2003.
The commission has taken thousands of statements from both perpetrators
and victims. Considered part of the healing process, as well as a way to
identify thematic issues from the conflict, the testimonies are meant to
expose what happened and who is responsible.
Cibelli, who represented the US-based non-profit, Benetech, says in
order to fully understand and gather data on the history, she is forced
to separate the people from the stories.
"What I've experienced sometimes is the permission to treat the
information as data, simply so that it is possible to get the work
done," she continued. "Because if one focuses too much on the actual
nature of the stories, if you think too much about the people who really
suffered those violations, it is impossible."
The horrific nature of these crimes is why the perpetrators should be
prosecuted, says Sam Nimely a delegate representing the Transitional
Justice System at the National Conference. He sees prosecution as a way
forward in the healing process of the country.
"Those who kill people in this country should be prosecuted, including
those who financed this war," said Nimely. "They played a major part,
because they contributed money, and the money was used to purchase arms,
and those arms killed thousands of Liberians."
Unlike the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa that was
set up after the abolition of apartheid, the TRC of Liberia is permitted
to recommend prosecution of those involved. A majority of the delegates
want the government to seek punishment for those responsible for serious
crimes. Nimely says this includes some people who are currently serving
in Liberia's government.
"I believe that those even in government, even the president herself, is
involved," said Nimely. "She should be brought to justice."
Liberia's current President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf testified earlier
this year in front of the TRC. She denied supported any of the warring
factions during the conflict.
The Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Liberia,
Counselor Jerome Verdier, said recommendations from the delegates will
seriously be taken into consideration and forwarded to the government
for immediate implementation. Verdier said the time has come for the
voices of the people of Liberia to be heard.
"Yes, it is true that we will give very serious consideration to the
recommendations that will be coming out of this conference, out of the
county consultations that we had regionally," said Verdier.
But not all voices are calling for the same action. Delegate Zawolo
Zuahgalay disagrees with the bulk of the delegates. He says prosecution
is not the way forward. He wants the government to put more emphasis on
development, rather than punishing troublemakers.
"The people who were even fighting. The foot soldiers, who are likely to
be the likely numbers that you would punish, it is a condition they were
forced in to participate in the war," he said.
Zuahgalay worries that if the perpetrators are prosecuted, there is the
possibility for another conflict in Liberia.
"You improve the condition of the country. You build the country in a
way that everybody will be satisfied. What happens if you do not improve
the situation of the country, and you go and punish people? You will
still have clashes," he said. "So the focus must be on Liberians
committing themselves to the solution of improving the situation of this
country,"
In its final report, the TRC of Liberia recommended amnesty for
children, as well as those whose crimes were not gross violations.
Delegate Jamesetta Kolubah, agreed with her colleagues who are calling
for prosecution, but she also stressed the need for development
programs.
"We said that government should give reparations to those victims, and
to satisfy them by giving them micro loans, and creating scholarships
for the children and the widows. They should provide business for them
so that they will be able to sustain themselves," she said.
In its final report, the TRC has recommended the next step be the
founding of a criminal court to deal with prosecutions.
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