C.
The Independent National Commission on Human Rights
24.
Following the Accra Comprehensive Agreement of 2003, the Independent National
Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) was created by the passage of the Act of 2005. Soon
after the establishment of the Commission, a vetting process of individuals to serve as
Commissioners was started in earnest. After a vetting process involving nationwide
participation, the initial nominees for commissioners were rejected by the Senate. In March of
2010, an Independent Committee of Experts was set up to carry on a new round of vetting
process and on October 28, 2010, Seven Persons were commissioned by the senate and
subsequently commissioned by the president to stir the affairs of the commission with one of
them serving as Chair. The Secretariat of the INCHR continues to carry out the day to day
activities of the commission, to include investigating and monitors human rights complaints,
making recommendations to the Government, liaising with national & international NGOs and
governmental institutions to address human rights concerns in the country, and organizing
human rights awareness campaigns and workshops throughout the country. Most recently, the
first three individuals from civil Society organizations have been vetted and trained to serve as
Human Rights field Monitors.
D.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
25.
The Liberian civil conflict was characterized by gross human rights violations affecting a wide
segment of society. Reflecting the country’s will to investigate these human rights violations and
reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to peace and justice, the TRC of Liberia was established in May of
2005. The Commission, composed of representatives from civil society organizations, political parties
and regional and international non‐governmental organizations was mandated to investigate human
rights violations perpetrated by warring factions during the period January 1979 to October 2003.
26.
After 3 years of statement taking, public and in camera hearings throughout Liberia and the
diaspora, the final report of the Commission containing a historical analysis and the root causes of the
conflict in Liberia as well as142 recommendations intended to redress human rights violations was
released and published on June 30, 2009.
E.
Civil Society Organizations
27.
In addition to government bodies, Ministries, institutions and committees with
competence for human rights, Liberia has a wide array of civil societies that monitor human
rights and raise public awareness on Liberia’s regional and international human rights
obligations. Currently, there are 338 registered civil society organizations in the country,
including 227 women’s associations, 32 religious associations, 66 youth associations and 13
general advocacy groups.
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