Truth and Reconciliation Act, 2000
The Act establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the violations of Sierra Leone's civil war and promote healing and reconciliation.
Summary
The Truth and Reconciliation Act, 2000 (the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act) established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Sierra Leone, a central institution of the country's transition from civil war to peace. Its creation was provided for in the Lomé Peace Agreement.
The Act provided for the Commission's establishment, composition, independence and functions: to create an impartial historical record of the violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law committed during the conflict (from 1991 to the signing of the Lomé Agreement), to address impunity, to respond to the needs of victims, to promote healing and reconciliation, and to prevent a repetition. It gave the Commission powers to take statements, hold hearings, and investigate, and required it to produce a report with findings and recommendations.
The TRC's work, and its final report, are of lasting importance, operating alongside the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Main provisions
- Establishes the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Provides for its composition, independence and functions.
- Mandates an impartial historical record of wartime human-rights violations.
- Provides for victims' needs, healing and reconciliation.
- Confers powers to take statements, hold hearings and investigate.
- Requires a final report with findings and recommendations.