A/HRC/12/42
page 19
With input from the Section and other partners, the Ministry of Education has developed
teaching guides on the subject. Subsequently, in March 2009, HRPS assisted in facilitating a
“training of trainers” workshop on peace, citizenship and human rights for 55 Liberian educators
from the 15 counties and assistants to the three Peace, Citizenship and Human Rights Resource
Centres. The trained educators are required to train other educators in their respective counties.
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS
45. In order to consolidate the progress made in improving the human rights situation in
Liberia, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights makes the
following recommendations:
(a) As a matter of priority, the executive should appoint commissioners to the
Independent National Commission on Human Rights and ensure that it is fully resourced
and functional according to the relevant international standards (Paris Principles);
(b) In order to enhance the Government’s reconciliation agenda, the legislature
should enact, without further delay, the law establishing a land commission to facilitate
land reform and settle land-related disputes;
(c) In collaboration with the international community, the Government of Liberia
should provide substantial resources to the key institutions in the criminal justice system
and extensive training for judges, prosecutors, defence counsel and investigators to ensure
safe prosecutions and respect for due process. Similarly, a fully functional and
comprehensive witness protection programme should be established;
(d) An effective mechanism should be established to ensure the safety of TRC
information, records and documents, particularly those classified as confidential;
(e) Publication of the TRC report is only one phase in a long process of
reconciliation, building lasting social cohesion and sustainable peace in Liberia.
Nonetheless, the TRC report presents Liberia with an opportunity to move the national
reconciliation agenda forward. The Liberian people should consider the Commission’s
recommendations and decide how best to address their implementation;
(f) The executive branch of the Government and the judiciary should urgently
clarify to the public the status of Justices of the Peace, as their continued illegal operation
violates international human rights standards on fair trial. The Government should also
consider reviewing the entire judicial mechanism relating to Justices of the Peace;
(g) Pending the establishment of juvenile courts throughout the country, extensive
training on juvenile justice issues should be provided for all magistrates. The Government
should also establish rehabilitation and reformatory institutions that will facilitate the
proper functioning of the juvenile justice system;
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