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VOLUME 1 OF REPORT
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Introduction
1
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Mandate of the TRC
2
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Setting Up the TRC
3
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Concepts
4
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Management/Operations
5
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Methodology/Processes
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Volume 1 in PDF Format
VOLUME 2 OF REPORT
1
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Executive Summary
2
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Findings
3
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Recommendations
4
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Reparations
5
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List of Victims
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Volume 2 in PDF Format
VOLUME 3a OF REPORT
1
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Historical Antecedents
2
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Governance
3
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Military/Political History
4
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Nature of the Conflict
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Volume 3a in PDF Format
VOLUME 3b OF REPORT
1
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Mineral Resources
2
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External Actors
3
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Women & the Conflict
4
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Children & the Conflict
5
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Youth
6
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TRC & Special Court
7
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RECONCILIATION
8
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National Vision
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Volume 3b in PDF Format
APPENDICES
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Content of Appendices
1
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Statistical Report
2
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Submissions
3
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Hearing Transcripts
4
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Memorials; TJ*
5
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List of Victims
TJ* = Transitional Justice
CHILDREN's VERSION
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WITNESS VIDEO
TRC DOCUMENTS
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TRC PRESS RELEASES
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*Courtesy of Peter Andersen
The Final Report of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Sierra Leone
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Volume 1
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Volume 1: Chapter 2: Setting Up the Commission
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CHAPTER TWO
Setting up the Commission
Introduction
1.
During the discussions on the Sierra Leone Human Rights Manifesto adopted by civil society in June 1999, the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, undertook to provide appropriate technical assistance for the establishment of the Commission. In a letter of 15 July, 1999 accepting the offer of assistance by the High Commissioner, President Kabbah pledged the unqualified support of his Government to the process of reconciliation.
2.
Since the Lomé Peace Agreement granted a blanket amnesty, under Sierra Leonean law, for violations committed by the armed factions, civil society at various conferences within and outside Sierra Leone insisted that the enabling law of the truth commission should contain provisions for the grant of reparations for victims of the conflict and a mechanism to deal with their anguish. Following a conference in September 1999, civil society set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission Working Group under the auspices of the National Forum for Human Rights. Prominent amongst the recommendations at the conference was that the Commission should consist of both national and international commissioners. It was believed that international commissioners, free of parochial interests, would bring a fresh perspective to the Commission.
3.
Pursuant to the commitment made at the declaration of the Human Rights Manifesto, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) developed a project to support the establishment of the Commission. This could not be immediately implemented due to the resumption of armed conflict in Sierra Leone in May 2000. Following a reassessment of the operational environment in September 2000, a revised project was developed in March 2001.
4.
The observance of the Ceasefire Agreement signed in Abuja, Nigeria in November 2000 and the commencement of disarmament in May 2001 among the armed factions increased the momentum for the establishment of the Commission. Furthermore, the Security Council in resolution 1346 adopted on 30 March 2001, encouraged the Government of Sierra Leone, together with the Secretary General of the United Nations, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant international actors, to expedite the establishment of the Commission.
5.
Between July and December 1999, OHCHR organised a number of consultations with civil society and representatives of Government and the RUF where the preliminary issues related to the establishment of the Commission were canvassed. In December 1999 OHCHR submitted for the consideration of the Government and civil society the draft terms of reference for the Commission.
Mr Oluyemi Adeniji, former Special Representative of the UN Secretary General was the Selection Coordinator for the nomination of Commissioners.
6.
On 29 December 1999, OHCHR through UNAMSIL forwarded a draft statute on the Commission to the Government with the understanding that it represented technical assistance and did not impede the sovereign right of Sierra Leone to determine the exact nature of the law to be adopted.
7.
The Government prepared a bill which substantially reflected the recommendations contained in the draft statute. On 22nd November 2000, the Parliament of Sierra Leone unanimously passed into law the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act.
8.
At the time of adoption of the Bill, OHCHR representatives were in the country consulting with Government and civil society on the preparation of a detailed plan of activities for supporting the Commission. The plan included support for the selection process of commissioners, a strategic framework for a public awareness programme, research on traditional methods of conflict resolution and conflict management, a project to identify violations and abuses committed during the conflict and to ‘map’ the key incidents; and a project to establish an interim secretariat for the commission.
Preparatory Activities before the Establishment of the Commission
9.
Following the enactment of the TRC Act, OHCHR began the implementation of a technical co-operation project entitled, “Support to the Preparatory Phase of the Sierra Leone TRC” to assist the establishment of the Commission. The project covered the following areas:
a.
Public information/education campaign;
b.
Mapping of the conflict i.e. compilation of information regarding key defining events within the period of jurisdiction of the Commission;
c.
Research on the traditional methods of conflict resolution and reconciliation among the different cultural groups in Sierra Leone;
d.
Selection of Commissioners, and;
e.
Preliminary identification of the facility requirements of the Commission, for instance, the form of the secretariat required including staffing and logistic requirements;
f.
Provision of a forum for the clarification of the relationship between the TRC and the Special Court authorised to be established by Resolution 1315(2000) of the United Nations Security Council;
g.
Provision of technical support in developing mechanisms for the commission to fulfil its additional mandate regarding juvenile offenders;
h.
Provision of assistance to the commission during the three months preparatory period immediately following its inauguration as provided for in Article 5(2) of the TRC Act which states that during this preparatory period, the Commission “will undertake all tasks necessary to ensure that it is able to work effectively from the commencement of its operations.”
a. Projects on Public Education and Sensitisation.
10.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights provided a grant to the International Human Rights Law Group (“the Law Group”) to start a campaign of public education and awareness about the Commission. The campaign used several media including radio, television, songs, drama and posters, among others, to create awareness and momentum for the establishment of the Commission. The Law Group partnered with Sierra Leonean civil society groups in implementing the campaign. OHCHR also provided financial support to a number of Sierra Leonean civil society organisations to conduct sensitization programmes on the Commission. These included the National Forum for Human Rights and
