Press Releases

International Community Re-Affirms Support for TRC Process


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.

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