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Liberia’s TRC Chairman Calls on Liberians to Engage in Community-Based Dialogue
By Mambu James Kparjoi, Monrovia
The Chairman of the TRC is calling the attention of the Liberian people and government to the resurgent of violence in our society; stressing the need to stabilize and resolve looming conflicts in our communities, strengthen the rule of law and mete out justice without fear or favor, and give serious attention to the implementation of the Recommendations of the TRC.
In a press release issued in Monrovia last week , Cllr. Jerome J Verdier observed that violent conduct in our communities point to the need for community-based dialogue on conflict and reconciliation issues and that, unless these issues are addressed there may be more violence and lawlessness in our society.
He said Vol. II Chapter 10.10 (Consolidated Final Report) and “Volume III, Title V: Mapping Potential Conflict, A Report on Sources of Looming Conflict” of the TRC Report and its recommendations addressed some of these issues which he identified as 1. Giving voice to the people; 2. Land and property issues; 3. Identity conflict; 4. Youth dimensions of the conflict; and 5. Incomplete disarmament.
These issues he noted are the five major causes of disorder and looming conflicts in our communities and which, if not redressed, will serve as sources of future violent conflicts. He said the TRC Conflict Mapping Report particularly warned that “Land disputes in Nimba, Lofa and Bong Counties warrant particular attention. They overlie intercommunal divisions that, if escalated to violence, would assume ‘ethnic’ dimensions, rapidly spread to neighboring counties, have repercussions in Monrovia, and could likely result in Cross-border militia clashes”
According to the release, Cllr Verdier said that impunity and the imperial mindset of governing authorities in Liberia are undermining efforts to reconstruct an ideal model of a “reconciled society” in Liberia and that the seemingly lukewarm posture of government on issues of impunity and corruption is undermining the rule of law and rapidly eroding public confidence and abiding faith in our criminal justice system. He described the reaction of the Justice Ministry to the capitol bye-pass incidence as a derelict and mournful cover-up bordering on executive arrogance and shameless disregard for life, and law and order in our society.
The TRC Chairman is quoted as saying that “unless our society learns to address the root causes of conflict and earnestly seek to resolve them, this country will continue to wander in circles of violence and despair without any hope in sight”.
He said a recent case in point of police misconduct and brutality was again ignored and covered up by the Justice Ministry and never addressed when the police confronted armless students of Liberian National Students Union (LINSU), Federation of Liberian Youths (FLY) and University of Liberian Students Union (ULSU) on January 16, 2010 with brute and disproportionate force, seriously wounding and incarcerating some 14 students on trumped-up charges of rioting, etc.
The case is still pending in court without any show of interest by Government in prosecuting the matter since the students were released on bail. Notwithstanding, Cllr Verdier said, one of the lawyers representing the students at the law firm of Verdier and Associates, Inc. wrote the Justice Minister requesting an independent inquiry into the matter in the face of evidence pointing to police brutality against armless students. To date the Justice Ministry has neither acknowledged nor responded to the counsel’s request or recommendation, which according to the February 12, 2010 letter to the Honorable Minister of Justice, an independent inquiry will reveal:
“……..
1. The underlying causes and circumstances leading to the outbreak of violence
2. The wrongful conduct of the police, which may have led to, or precipitated the violence
3. The wrongful conduct of students that may have led to, contributed to or precipitated the violence;
4. Compensation for any and all wrongful conduct; and
5. Recommendations to avoid future recurrence of violence of this nature in our society…”
The perpetrators of violence against those students, who suffered grievous bodily injury, lost of teeth and inflamed kidney wounds, are roaming about with impunity and, barely two months later, the same Ministry of Justice found itself in a web of unprofessional cover-up, and seemingly inappropriate discharge of fire arm by a peace officer leading to two deaths. At about the same time, Lofa County is engulfed by violence bordering on historical looming conflicts, mutual suspicion and mistrust and ethnic rivalry.
When will we ever learn to do things right and pursue the rule of law to a logical conclusion. If we as a nation want to turn a new page from violence to peace, reconciliation and peaceful co-existence, than we must condemn all acts of violence and brute force by national authorities and aggrieved citizens, even in the face of unprovoked provocation. Cllr. Verdier in the statement made the following recommendations which he believes are imperative to sustaining an orderly, stable and peaceful society:
1. That there be independent inquiries into the following three public incidence of violence and destruction: a) The January 16, 2010 confrontation of police with students b) the Capitol Bye Pass incident of … and c) the Lofa County violence of…;
2. That all perpetrators of these violence, destruction and human rights violations be brought to justice;
3. All innocent victims of the violence are entitled to reparation and must be compensated;
4. Call on the President and the Government of Liberia to demonstrate a more concrete commitment to implementing the Recommendations of the TRC by making her first quarterly report on the status of the implementation of TRC recommendations this March 2010 to the National Legislature as prescribed by law;
5. A structured program of national dialogue and mediation be instituted to address the concerns and interests of marginalized and minority communities who feel threatened and disadvantaged by the actions of local and national authorities or majority groups. To this end, the constitution of the Independent National Human Rights Commission and review of its enabling legislation is most urgent and desirable.
Concluding, the statement quoted Cllr. Verdier as “calling on all Liberians to be reminded of the bitter past and avoid violence as a means to seeking redress for their grievances. He said one violent act leads to another and that at this time in our national life Liberians should prefer dialogue over violence and pursue remedies within the confines of the rule of law instead of taking the law into their own hands.
No matter how strong the provocation may be, to act violently and lawlessly is not the answer. Cllr. Verdier further called on all Liberians to denounce absolutely, all acts of violence in Liberia but rather he encourages all living in Liberia to embrace the rule of law as a sure measure to see the nation through these trying times.
Editor @ March 10, 2010