Jimmey C. Fahngon — The Chief of the UN Human Rights Section, Ms. Dorota Gierycz has disclosed that there would be no amnesty for anyone found guilty of violating international human rights law by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

She said that the decision is in compliance with the international laws on human rights, which Liberia is a signatory to, and must be applied.

Ms. Gierycz made the revelation yesterday at a press briefing held at the headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in Congo Town.

She indicated that the Commission would investigate all kinds of human rights violations in the country and those guilty of such would be prosecuted.

Touching on the prosecution of those that will be found guilty of gross international human rights violations, Ms. Gierycz stressed the need for the establishment of a court, where international human rights violators would be made to account for their actions.

She suggested that the composition of such court should comprise both Liberian and international judges to ensure justice and fair play.

The UNMIIL Human Rights Chief maintained that "once the evidences against those accused of human rights violation are collected such violators are not subject to reconciliation, they would be turned over to the court for prosecution."

To make the TRC more effective and competent, Ms. Gierycz opined that the present commissioners of the TRC would be subjected to vetting process noting, "those that will be qualified, will remain while those who will not be qualified during the vetting process would be dropped."

The TRC, she added, would consist of nine Commissioners, including five males and four females.

The UNMIL Human Rights Boss then called on victims of human rights violations and the public to go before the Commission when it begins full operations.

The TRC is expected to begin full operations in three months' time in accordance with Article 11 of the act that established it.

It is believed that one of the reasons for which 14 years of mayhem was unleashed, was the result of gross violation of the human rights of ordinary people by past regimes.

In many cases, government officials are alleged to have violated the rights of innocent people, whom they are suppose to protect, without being made to account for their actions thereby going with impunity and leaving their victims vulnerable.

It is within this context that the signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement empowered the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) where violators of human rights would be made to testify before the Commission.