[allAfrica.com]  [Africa_2005]


TRC Report Not Useful Without the Recommendations

Concord Times (Freetown)
NEWS
December 21, 2005
Posted to the web December 21, 2005

By Tanu Jalloh
Freetown
Head of Human Rights Section of United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone
(UNAMSIL), Benedict Sannoh Tuesday said the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
(TRC) report is never useful without government adhering to recommendations
therein.
He made this disclosure during the launching ceremony of the Secondary School
version of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report at the
Grassroots Gender Empowerment Movement conference room on John Street.
"The report is of no use if recommendations therein are not met by the
government," he said adding that UNAMSIL is associated with the activities of
the TRC since its inception.
Giving an overview of the project which started in 2003, Media Consultant TRWG,
Juliane Westphel noted they had a series of discussions and consultations with
the people and the ministry of Education which culminated into the Secondary
School version of the TRC report.
"This book is part of the dissemination of the findings and recommendations of
TRC, reasons for the war and would further contribute to the establishment of
the idea of human rights violations in the country," she pointed out.
Deputy Chief of Mission Truth and Reconciliation Working Group (TRWG), James
Stewart said this is an opportunity for students to be asking for clear words
because the future is not only in their hands but should be in the heads and
hearts.
Formerly launching the report, Education, Science and Technology minister, Dr.
Alpha T Wurie outlined some of the causes of the war and the challenges now
faced.
"The lack of quality systems and institutions some thirty years after
independence is a cause. With only 8% of literacy rate in 1962 there was no way
institutions could be properly managed," he said adding that nobody can
contribute to nation building when he does not have the skills and
professionalism.
"From 367,000 pupils enrolled in 1996 today we have 1.2 in primary schools yet
quality has not been achieved. We need to build on the basics to get back our
nationalistic pride," he said.

   

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