Liberia: UN welcomes resumption of activities by truth and reconciliation body
The United Nations has welcomed the resumption of activities by Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission which
today opened public hearings on the human rights violations that took place during the country's brutal 14-year civil
war that ended in 2003.
In a report issued earlier this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote that the Commission was being hindered in its
progress by management, personnel and budgetary difficulties, adding that "these problems need to be resolved on an
urgent basis so that the Commission can continue its valuable work of ensuring lasting peace in Liberia."
The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) supported the drafting of the national act that established the Commission and worked
closely with the Transitional Justice Working Group on the body's establishment.
UNMIL has also assisted the Commission with technical and advocacy support, and continues to provide logistical support
to its officials in their working trips to remote parts of Liberia.
In addition, the UN is part of the working group that established the Contact Group on Liberia, whose mandate includes
providing the Commission - which was formally established in February 2006 - with advice on budget and human resources
administration and policy guidelines and developing a work plan.
ENDS