Most Liberians welcomed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission when it started public hearings on Liberia's fractious past in January. Many thought it was the best opportunity for Liberians to come to terms with the massacres, rapes and torture which are still haunting them. But instead, the TRC leaves many Liberians frustrated. The hearings are often the arena in which denial resonates loudest.

Liberia is recovering from years of conflict that saw horrific human rights violations. Arbitrary killings, use of child soldiers, rape and sexual violence, separation of families and looting and destruction of properties have scarred the west-African country. Out of a population of 3 million, an estimated 300,000 Liberians were killed, with as many as 1.5 million displaced.
Liberia is recovering from years of conflict that saw horrific human rights violations. Arbitrary killings, use of child soldiers, rape and sexual violence, separation of families and looting and destruction of properties have scarred the west-African country. Out of a population of 3 million, an estimated 300,000 Liberians were killed, with as many as 1.5 million displaced. In establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Liberia has followed in the footsteps of other countries dealing with their violent past, such as South Africa, East Timor and Sierra Leone. The TRC is to investigate the gross human rights abuses committed after the country descended into violence in 1979. But is also has to inspire reconciliation.

In establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Liberia has followed in the footsteps of other countries dealing with their violent past, such as South Africa, East Timor and Sierra Leone. The TRC is to investigate the gross human rights abuses committed after the country descended into violence in 1979. But it also has to inspire reconciliation.

'Chorus of denials'
The TRC was set up because there are no war crimes trials in Liberia. But as Liberians expected the truth to prevail during public hearings, they are actually disillusioned because suspected perpetrators refute their role in the conflict. As a Liberian media expert explains:

"Most of the people who have appeared before the TRC have just been telling us what we already know. None of them have actually given a true historical and factual account of the abuses of the past. That was definitely not what we Liberians expected of this process."

Most Liberians generally know what happened in the past decades. But scores of key military and political actors appearing before the TRC have denied responsibilities of atrocities

The massacres, the indiscriminate shelling of cities and villages, to summary executions of civilians and dissidents, the pillage. Everything is being denied.

Samuel Kollie, a resident of one of Monrovia's slums wonders, "If all the mass killings and mayhem perpetuated during the civil war were not carried out by any of the warring factions, then who were the ones responsible for them?"

Refusals to testify
There were also major actors who didn't even join the chorus of denials, they refused to appear before the commission. To date about 7 top former National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) commanders have refused to honour the commission's invitations to testify. The commanders, who all fought under the leadership of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, did not explain their absence.

Only, Christopher Vambo who went by the nom de guerre Mosquito, said he refused to appear because he is expected to testify as a defence witness in the war crimes trial of his former boss, Charles Taylor before the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague.

The TRC denies that there is any agreement between the TRC and the Sierra Leone Tribunal allowing court witnesses to delay their appearance before the commission. The commission also warns those refusing to appear that it can compel their cooperation. But without success.

Immunity?
Suspected war criminals fear possible prosecution if they openly relate on their actions during the war. Observers say that most of the refusals may be put down to the fact that the commission can not grant amnesty for war crimes. Besides, the TRC's mandate does not give witnesses the privilege to abstain from providing self incriminating testimonies.

A former member of the military junta, the Peoples' Redemption Council (PRC), which staged the bloody coup of April 1980, has also refused to appear before the commission. Mr. Albert Toe, who is currently a member of the Liberian House of Representatives, claims to be protected by constitutional immunity.

The law states that "all acts carried out by the military government and its cronies between 1979 and 1986 when they transformed themselves into the civilian rulers of Liberia were beyond the jurisdiction of any legal or other processes."

Many, including the chairman of the commission that wrote Liberia's constitution have been criticising the immunity provision. And most Liberians think that it destroys the very concept of the TRC.

There has also been a public row over whether President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf should appear before the commission in open session or whether she should appear at all. There have been loud campaigns in Monrovia for and against the president's public appearance.

With the TRC process on a rollercoaster and many Liberians disillusioned, those who witnessed and were affected by the mayhem during the nation's war still eagerly await a positive outcome from the commission's work.

Also read:

    * Charles Taylor won't appear before Liberia's truth commission
    * Liberian truth commission hearings in the US
    * The Liberian TRC - immunity versus prosecutions
    * Liberia's hopes for truth and reconciliation