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  Sierra Leone’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Freetown/Brussels, 20 December 2002: Sierra Leone’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is a vital part of the strategy for making the country’s still fragile peace permanent. It must start serious work, however, if it is to avoid losing the confidence of civil society and international donors.

In a new briefing paper, Sierra Leone’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission: A Fresh Start?*, the International Crisis Group (ICG) examines the progress of this important transitional justice mechanism, which is one of two (the other is the Special Court) established to deliver justice for crimes committed during the brutal eleven year conflict that ended this year and to reconcile a war-torn nation.

It finds that there are still serious problems with management issues, funding and, in particular, the performance of the commissioners and its partner, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

ICG Africa Program Co-Director Fabienne Hara said: "The TRC must simply start fulfilling its mandate. This mainly depends on the commissioners themselves. They must put forward a strategic operational plan and follow through. It is significant that statement takers have been sent out this month to begin collecting stories from all citizens who wish to come forward, but this is just a first step".

Funding has been a severe problem for the TRC from the start. Donor fatigue, poor fundraising efforts by the TRC and OHCHR and management difficulties all contribute to a major shortfall.

ICG West Africa Project Director Comfort Ero said: "The institution needs to be revitalised so that the donors can stop playing "wait and see" games and start contributing funds to this critical process. Commissioners need to communicate about their work in order to help fundraising. Rather than plead penury, they must demonstrate their capacity to deliver. The commissioners, especially those that are Sierra Leone nationals, need to stand up for the TRC and make their voices heard if they feel the process is not progressing as it should".

Civil society also must be brought back into the process. It is needed to assist with education, to act as a watchdog and to encourage popular participation in the TRC. Unfortunately many civil society leaders feel betrayed by the current process and are increasingly apathetic about the ability and will of the TRC to reveal the truth and heal a divided nation. This is starting to change and improve as the TRC reaches out more, but efforts need to continue.


MEDIA CONTACTS
Katy Cronin (London) +44.20.86.82.93.51
email: [email protected]

Francesca Lawe-Davies (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536.00.65
Jennifer Leonard (Washington) +1-202-785 1601
*Read the briefing paper on our website: www.crisisweb.org


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