Sierra Leone TRC Reparations Program Implementation Assessments

SUMMARY

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Sierra Leone, established after the civil war, recommended a comprehensive reparations program for war victims in 2004 [5]. Following this, a conference communiqué urged the government to lead the implementation strategy in collaboration with international and local partners and to urgently commence the Reparations Programme [1, 2].

Independent assessments of the TRC recommendations' implementation status have been conducted by several entities. In 2007, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) partnered with the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) to develop a matrix on the implementation status, with inputs from government ministries [3]. In 2010, the HRCSL and the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) co-organized a second national consultative conference which included a cross-section of Sierra Leonean society and the international community [1]. Additionally, reports on the implementation status have borrowed data from inter-ministerial government reports and collected data from field officials, civil society, and human rights organizations, with draft reports shared among various NGOs and media houses for input [4]. Despite early international support, the reparations program is alleged to be struggling 18 years after the war's official end, with international attention having waned [7].

CLAIMS

1. VERIFIEDCONF 1.00

   The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Sierra Leone recommended a comprehensive reparations program for war victims in 2004.

   — attributed to: Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Sierra Leone

   • https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/migrated_files/What-We-Do/docs/Support-to-the-Implementation-of-the-Sierra-Leone-Reparations-Programme-SLRP.pdf
2. VERIFIEDCONF 1.00

   A conference communiqué recommended the Government of Sierra Leone to lead the formulation of a comprehensive implementing strategy for the Reparations Programme in collaboration with international and local partners.

   — attributed to: Conference communiqué

   • https://www.sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/background-to-the-recommendations-matrix
   • https://sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/resources/recommendations-matrix
3. VERIFIEDCONF 1.00

   The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) jointly developed a matrix of the status of implementation of the TRC recommendations in 2007.

   — attributed to: Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and UNIOSIL

   • https://www.sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/resources/recommendations-matrix
4. CORROBORATEDCONF 0.90

   The draft implementation matrix was prepared with inputs from Government ministries and various civil society and human rights organizations.

   — attributed to: Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and UNIOSIL

   • https://www.sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/resources/recommendations-matrix
   • https://upr-info.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019-12/upr_report_on_sierra_leone.pdf
5. VERIFIEDCONF 1.00

   In October 2010, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and UNIPSIL jointly organized the Second National Consultative Conference, which involved representatives from Sierra Leonean society and the international community.

   — attributed to: Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and UNIPSIL

   • https://www.sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/background-to-the-recommendations-matrix
6. VERIFIEDCONF 1.00

   A report prepared by the Government of Sierra Leone at an inter-ministerial level, drawing on data from field officials and civil society/human rights organizations, contributed to assessment efforts.

   — attributed to: Government of Sierra Leone

   • https://upr-info.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019-12/upr_report_on_sierra_leone.pdf
7. VERIFIEDCONF 1.00

   The draft government report on implementation status was shared electronically among twenty media houses, forty Civil Society Organizations (CSO), and ten MDAs for their inputs.

   — attributed to: Government of Sierra Leone

   • https://upr-info.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019-12/upr_report_on_sierra_leone.pdf
8. SINGLE-SOURCECONF 0.80

   The Sierra Leone reparations program is 'in trouble' and largely left to itself, 18 years after the official end of the civil war, despite initial significant international support.

   — attributed to: Fin-Jasper Langmack

   • https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/43710-reparations-in-sierra-leone-news-from-the-periphery-of-transitional-justice.html

TIMELINE

• 2004Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Sierra Leone recommended a comprehensive reparations program. [src]
• 2007Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and UNIOSIL jointly developed a Matrix of the status of implementation of the TRC recommendations. [src]
• 2010-10Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and UNIPSIL jointly organized the Second National Consultative Conference on TRC recommendations. [src]
• 2022Approximately 18 years after the official end of the civil war (which ended in 2002), the reparations program is alleged to be struggling. [src]

ENTITIES

• ORG Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Sierra Leone — Recommended reparations program
• ORG Government of Sierra Leone — Responsible for implementing reparations, leads strategy
• ORG Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) — Jointly developed implementation matrix, co-organized conferences
• ORG United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) — Jointly developed implementation matrix with HRCSL
• ORG United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) — Jointly organized Second National Consultative Conference with HRCSL
• ORG International Organization for Migration (IOM) — Documented TRC recommendations
• ORG Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) — Provided funding for TRC-related activities
• ORG National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights (NCDHR) — Received OHCHR funding for TRC booklet
• ORG International Human Rights Law Group — Received OHCHR funding for TRC public information assessment
• ORG Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) — Provided inputs for reports, consulted by TRC
• PERSON Fin-Jasper Langmack — Author of article on reparations program struggles
• PLACE Sierra Leone — Location of civil war and TRC
• EVENT Civil War in Sierra Leone — Context for TRC and reparations

OPEN QUESTIONS — PENDING LEADS

• What specific findings on reparations for war victims were presented in the 2007 implementation matrix developed by HRCSL and UNIOSIL?
• What were the key conclusions regarding reparations from the 2010 Second National Consultative Conference co-organized by HRCSL and UNIPSIL?
• Which 'host of civil society and human rights organizations' provided data for the inter-ministerial government reports mentioned in the UPR document [4]?
• Are there any publicly available independent audits or detailed reports by international or domestic NGOs specifically assessing the *financial disbursement* and *reach* of the reparations program for victims in Sierra Leone post-2010?
• What specific 'lessons on the sustainability of transitional justice processes and the attention span of international actors' does Fin-Jasper Langmack draw in his article [7]?

EVIDENCE — CAPTURED SOURCES

1. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/SierraLeone/ [archived]

   Following the American Revolution, Sierra Leone became a destination for resettling black loyalists who had originally been resettled in Nova Scotia. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, British crews delivered thousands of Africans liberated from illegal slave ships t…

2. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/16vwbrd/independent_researcher_how_do_you_do_it/

   I think the majority of "independent researchers" are those that have formal training but are currently unaffiliated with a research institution. So they don't necessarily have a research job but they do know how to do all the work that goes into figuring out the question, the st…

3. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/Environmental_Careers/comments/166ipo5/i_have_an_interview_at_trc_companies_for_the_role/

   I see that the last specific thread for TRC was 2 years ago, so I would love to hear the updated rundown on the company. Interview advice? Company culture? The more the better. Also, if anyone has advice for salary/wage negotiations (this is in Ohio), please share that as well!

4. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/China/comments/osa2wr/jod_study_china_misuses_its_seat_on_the_uns/ [archived]

   JOD study: China misuses its seat on the UN's EcoSoc NGO Committee to block applications from civil society organizations seeking UN consultative status. China uses its seat to block NGOs which have criticized China's treatment of Uyghurs and do not explicitly recognize Tibet and…

5. [WEB] https://www.sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/background-to-the-recommendations-matrix

   A communiqué issued by the Conference recommended the Government to take the lead in formulating a comprehensive implementing strategy in collaboration with international and local partners and urgently commence the implementation of the Reparations Programme. In October 2010, th…

6. [WEB] https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/migrated_files/What-We-Do/docs/Support-to-the-Implementation-of-the-Sierra-Leone-Reparations-Programme-SLRP.pdf [archived]

   In 2004, two years after the war, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Sierra Leone recommended the implementation of a comprehensive reparations programme for the victims of these human rights violations.

7. [WEB] https://www.sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/view-report-text-vol-1/item/vol-one-chapter-five [archived]

   NFHR subsequently received separate funding from UNAMSIL to conduct training for chiefs and NGOs in the provincial areas. The National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights (NCDHR) received funding from the OHCHR to produce a booklet on the TRC and to translate it into severa…

8. [WEB] https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/43710-reparations-in-sierra-leone-news-from-the-periphery-of-transitional-justice.html [archived]

   18 years after the official end of the civil war in Sierra Leone, its reparation program is in trouble. While the international community provided much support in the beginning, the program is now largely left to itself. Fin-Jasper Langmack draws lessons on the sustainability of …

9. [WEB] https://atjhub.csvr.org.za/sierra-leone-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-2002-2004/ [archived]

   The TRC’s principles and framework for a national reparations programme were guided by domestic and international law, but it does not refer to any such laws in its recommendations for reparations for sexual violence. According to the final report, the TRC’s reparations recommend…

10. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/widescreengamingforum/comments/p7i8yu/twelve_minutes_ultrawide_fix_no_black_bordershor/ [archived]

    Since this isn't intended from the developer, you will sometimes encounter Pop-Ins, nothing major though Who, in their sane developer mind, doesn't include ultrawide from the start ?? 2021 people !!

11. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/usajobs/comments/im58h8/usa_hire_assessment_score/ [archived]

    *see update in comments So, I am applying for a position, and took 4 online assessments to include reading, logic, scenario questions, and then answered about 153 questions about my work style. So, the 2nd assessment, which was majority logic-like questions kicked my ass. How did…

12. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/usps_complaints/comments/1cdzznf/why_is_my_domestic_package_at_a_international/

    Having the same issue. I am in Madison and waiting for a mail from Chicago, which just arrived at the same international distribution center. Did you finally get your mail?

13. [REDDIT] https://www.reddit.com/r/srilanka/comments/m7h7qn/government_site_number_2_outdatedtrc_this_time/ [archived]

    89K subscribers in the srilanka community. Community for Sri lankans

14. [WEB] https://sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/resources/recommendations-matrix

    A communiqué issued by the Conference recommended the Government to take the lead in formulating a comprehensive implementing strategy in collaboration with international and local partners and urgently commence the implementation of the Reparations Programme.

15. [WEB] https://www.sierraleonetrc.org/index.php/resources/recommendations-matrix

    The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone jointly with the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) in 2007 developed a Matrix of the status of implementation of the TRC recommendations. The draft Matrix was prepared through inputs provided by the Government m…

16. [WEB] https://upr-info.org/sites/default/files/documents/2019-12/upr_report_on_sierra_leone.pdf [archived]

    Additionally, this report borrows data from the report prepared by the Government of Sierra Leone at Inter-Ministerial level. Various methods were use to collect date from our field officials and host of civil society and human rights organizations. The draft report was shared am…

CROSS-REFERENCE

• → SHARES-ACTOR Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations Implementation — Both reference Human Rights Commission Of Sierra Leone Hrcsl, Hrcsl, Sierra Leone
• → SHARES-ACTOR Sierra Leone TRC Recommendations Matrix: Official Implementation Status — Both reference Government Of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone, Trc
• → SHARES-ACTOR Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2000: Mandate and Implementation Obligation — Both reference Government Of Sierra Leone, Trc
• ← SHARES-LOCATION TRC Report: A Senior Secondary School Version in Sierra Leonean Curriculum — Both reference Sierra Leone, Trc