Liberian Truth & Reconciliation Commission Diaspora Statement-taking WHAT:
The Liberian Organization of the Piedmont (LOP) and other Liberian organizations in North Carolina, In collaboration with The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and The Advocates for Human Rights is coordinating a project to collect statements from thousands of Liberians throughout the United States. Working with Liberian community partners across the country, The Advocates for Human Rights is mirroring the TRC process underway in Liberia. This groundbreaking project will give Liberians in the U.S. a voice in the promotion of international justice and human rights as part of the truth, justice, accountability and reconciliation processes in Liberia.
WHEN:
· Saturday, March 29, 2008 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sunday, March 30, 2008 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
WHERE:
Dilliard Auditorium Anderson Center Winston-Salem State University 601 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Winston-Salem, NC 27110
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Y. Hunder, Sr., President of the Liberian Organization of the Piedmont (336) 655-4759 (mobile) or (336) 721-1991 (off)
Samuel K. Deshield, President of Association of United Liberians in the Triad (336) 988-0319
Nukey Gargard, President of Liberia First, Inc (919) 673-0447
Victoria Nyae, President of Liberian Women Association of Salisbury (704) 245-8881
James Paul, President of Liberian Association of Salisbury (704) 639 -1744
Lawrence Karnley, President of Liberian Association of Charlotte (704) 891 -1815
Jennifer Prestholdt (ext. 111) or Ahmed Sirleaf (ext. 134), The Advocates for Human Rights (612) 341-3302
BACKGROUND
From 1979 to 2003, the Liberian people suffered extreme violence from armed conflict, mass displacement, and severe human rights abuses perpetrated by a wide range of actors during the nation’s brutal civil war. On August 18, 2003, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was adopted in Accra, Ghana, formally ending the prolonged civil strife.
Following a period of transitional governance and extensive national dialogue, on May 12, 2005, the Act to Establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia was passed by the National Transitional Legislative Assembly and the TRC was tasked with investigating the truth about the human rights violations that had occurred during the nation’s civil war. In late 2005, following a widespread consultative process and public nominations, nine national Commissioners were selected to make up the TRC panel.
The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Project was launched by the Advocates for Human Rights on June 22, 2006. The project is designed to give Liberian refugees in the U.S. a role in promoting international justice and human rights as part of the truth and reconciliation process in Liberia. The project will also raise awareness of transitional justice mechanisms and the Liberian process here in the United States. The Advocates For Human Rights is coordinating the project at the request of the Liberian TRC.
The mission of The Advocates for Human Rights is to implement international human rights standards to promote civil society and reinforce the rule of law. The Advocates for Human Rights was founded in 1983 by a group of Minnesota lawyers who recognized the community’s unique spirit of social justice as an opportunity to promote and protect human rights here at home and worldwide. We are a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that investigates and exposes human rights violations; represents immigrants and refugees in our community who are victims of human rights abuses; trains and assists groups that protect human rights; and works through education and advocacy in the U.S. to engage the public, policy-makers and children about human rights and cultural understanding. The Advocates For Human Rights holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.
General Information is also available on The Advocates for Human Rights’ website: http://liberiatrc.mnadvocates.org
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