By Kebba Ansu Manneh
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday 1st December 2022, inaugurated the Stakeholder Monitoring Committee on the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) as captured in the Government Whitepaper.
The Stakeholder Monitoring Committee comprises various actors drawn from civil societies including representatives from TANGO, Supreme Islamic Council, Victims Center, advocacy groups, and others.
Speaking at the event, Emmanuel Joof, Chairman National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) highlighted the importance of the stakeholder monitoring committee towards the implementation process. He said monitoring the implementation process is the responsibility of the Human Rights Commission as recommended by the TRRC and it cannot be done alone without the participation of different Stakeholders.
The NHRC Chairman disclosed that through the support of the United Nations, the Commission together with Stakeholders embarked upon a study tour to South Africa to learn about the success and challenges of their commission. The visit, he affirmed, accorded them the opportunity to visit various stakeholders of the South African Truth Commission to gather firsthand information on how each Stakeholder is doing their part of the implementation.
He added that as an institution responsible for the monitoring of the implementation process of the TRRC recommendation, NHRC thought it befitting to include the various stakeholders. While noting that monitoring the implementation process is keys to the success of the overall process of the TRRC.
Chairman Joof also iterated Government commitment to the entire TRRC including accepting the recommendations as well as coming up with a whitepaper to the effect.
He noted that NHRC has also been doing its part since the publication of the Government whitepaper by engaging various stakeholders including the National Assembly Members, setup regional offices, sensitisation through media, caravan tour as well as training personnel and stakeholders.
Kimbeng T. Tah, Head of International Litigation and Investment Arbitration, Ministry of Justice also expressed Government commitment to ensuring the implementation of the recommendations of the TRRC.
He disclosed that the government is currently working on the implementation plans monitoring, drafting of the reparations bill, consultations on the judicial framework, and prosecution among others.
He said the inauguration of the Stakeholder Monitoring Committee is part of the implementation plans of the TRRC recommendations. And that NHRC as an independent body has been vested with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of the recommendations.
Barrister Tah continued to state that the implementation of the recommendations of the TRRC is not only a government show but equally requires the participation of civil societies.
He called on all stakeholders to join the process that yearns for coming up with sound policy documents that will boost the implementation.
“This Committee will be a very key tool resource reservoir for obtaining information.
“I also want to urge the NHRC to go beyond this committee into the field and design a very innovative framework obtaining information because the monitoring has to be credible, accurate and it has to have quality indicators,” Head of International Litigation and Investment Arbitration noted.
Ms. Seraphine Wakana, UN Resident Coordinator also made similar sentiment, while assuring the UN of continuous support towards the implementation of the TRRC recommendations.