March 6, 2008
MONROVIA (TRC)?The International Contact Group on Liberia (ICGL) has
reaffirmed its support for the TRC process, saying it is impressed with
progress made by the commission.
Leading an eight member high-level delegation from Monrovia of the ICGL to
observe ongoing hearings of the TRC currently taking place in Zwedru, Grand
Gedeh County, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary
General in Liberia for Rule of Law, Professor Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, expressed
support for the TRC and thanked the Commission for its hard work and commitment
in implementing it's mandate thus far.
"We want to thank you, the Commissioners, for having come this far. This has
only been made possible through teamwork, commitment on the part of
Commissioners to get the job done, and because of the collaboration with the
international community."
Professor Mensah-Bonsu stated that the ICGL has high expectations of the TRC
and is therefore pleased that the Commission is well on course to achieving its
objectives. She added that despite the many challenges the Commission has had
to face, it has shown fortitude and goodwill towards the implementation of its
mandate.
Also expressing satisfaction for the work of the TRC, Dr. Charlotte Abaka,
Independent Expert on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Liberia
thanked commissioners of the TRC for the immense progress made in the work of
the commission, adding that the international community is very interested in
the work of the TRC. "We have long waited for this day. Our hearts jumped with
joy when we were informed that hearings in rural Liberia
have begun. There is always a lot of interest in our report about the work of
the TRC, and we are glad to see that the Commission is doing fine," Abaka said.
Dr. Abaka, who represents the office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights, noted that the team was visiting Zwedru to physically witness
firsthand the work of the TRC, and was confident that the TRC will achieve its
mandate despite the difficulties.
In a related development, a delegation from the International Contact
Group on Liberia (ICGL), also on Wednesday, met with the Commissioners in a
separate meeting in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh
County.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, United Kingdom Political Counselor in Liberia,
Mr. Andrew Mace, expressed gratitude to TRC Commissioners for the opportunity
afforded him to have worked with the Commission. Mr. Mace who has ended his
assignment in Liberia,
and was a member of the TRC/ICGL working group said he was overwhelmed with joy
to see the Commission doing so well following initial difficulties. He pledged
the British government's continuous support to the work of the TRC.
Other members of the ICGL delegations were: Mr. Anders Ostman, Consular of
the Embassy of Sweden, Ms. Kristen K. Grauer, Political Officer of the United
States Embassy in Monrovia and Ms.
Gillian Dare, the new Political Counselor of the British Mission to Liberia.
Responding, the Chairman of the Commission, Cllr. Jerome Verdier expressed
satisfaction over the visit of the delegations to observe the TRC public
hearings in Grand Gedeh
County and thanked them for their
goodwill.
Chairman Verdier further assured the delegations and Liberians of the
unwavering commitment of the Commissioners to achieve the mandate of the TRC.
