A/HRC/12/18
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11. The 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Liberia envisaged the creation of the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which the National Legislative Assembly established by
law in June 2005. The Human Rights and Protection Section (HRPS) of the United Nations
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) supported the promulgation of the Act and participated in the
commissioners’ selection process through publicity efforts and dissemination of nomination
forms. OHCHR and UNDP jointly executed a conflict mapping project, collecting and compiling
up to 13,000 witness statements, which were handed over to the Commission upon its
establishment in February 2006. HRPS UNMIL has also supported capacity-building of the
Commission by offering training programmes on investigatory procedures, case management,
and human rights and international humanitarian law. The Commission released its preliminary
report in January 2009 and its final report in June 2009.
12. The 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement includes a provision for a truth and reconciliation
commission in Sierra Leone, which Parliament established by law in February 2000. The
Commission completed its hearings in July 2003 and, with the assistance of OHCHR, prepared a
report summarizing its findings and recommendations. The Human Rights Section (HRS) of the
United Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) helped distribute the report
through district dissemination committees, and also issued a shorter user-friendly version for use
in sensitization seminars throughout the country. The Human Rights and Rule of Law Section
(HRRLS) of the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) has continued
dissemination and sensitization efforts, in addition to assisting the Government to implement
several TRC recommendations, including enactment of legislation protecting the rights of
women and children, establishment of the Human Rights Commission, and initiation of a
reparations programme. HRRLS of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in
Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) has continued to provide technical support to the Government in
implementing the reparations programme. In 2009, UNIPSIL issued a Joint Vision Paper,
developed in collaboration with other United Nations agencies, identifying several TRC
recommendations as continuing priorities for intervention.
13. The Djibouti Agreement, signed in August 2008, provides for the establishment of a
High-level Committee to address justice and reconciliation in Somalia, as part of its overall
effort to combat impunity. In November 2008, the Human Rights Unit (HRU) of the
United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) hosted a workshop for members of the
Committee to discuss the possible establishment of a commission of inquiry. UNPOS is
currently collaborating with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to organize further
discussions on the subject. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in August 2009.
14. The Government of Uganda has initiated an official Government study on truth-seeking to
be completed in 2009. Civil society groups have taken the initiative with regard to a truth
commission by drafting a relevant bill, with the assistance of OHCHR Uganda. The bill has yet
to be considered by the Government. Acholi traditional and religious leaders have also
recommended traditional and religious reconciliation processes as necessary avenues for
truth-seeking. OHCHR Uganda will monitor any implementation of these truth-seeking
mechanisms to ensure their conformity with international human rights standards.
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