Bull Gives Reason For Not Signing TRCs Report

Why Pearl Bull didn't Sign the TRC’s Final Report

A Commissioner of the Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been providing justification why she did not affix her signature to the final report of

the commission that was released last week.

Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull in a statement said: “I did not sign the consolidated final report, Volume II of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, and dissent to said reports for the following factual, legal and prudent reasons to wit.” She said the TRC decision on prosecution and lustration emanating from the TRC Public Hearings; the Advocates for Human Rights (USA.) Diaspora Report; The National Conference on Reconciliation, convened by the TRC, and Co-Chaired by the Governance Reform Commission and “additional research findings” from others, are not in consonance with the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, the Act to Establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC);Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (TRC) RULES and Procedures revised April 2007; the act to grant immunity from both civil and criminal proceedings against all persons within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Liberia from acts or crimes committed during the civil war from December 1989 to August 2003.

Published authority, August 8, 2003; Supreme Court of Liberia, Decision, Bull Versus The TRUTH And Reconciliation Commission decided January 30, 2009; The Results from Beneficent Technology (Benetech) Data base, an American hired company in the United States of America who worked with the TRC Commission; The Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Liberia and The Liberians United For Reconciliation And Democracy (LURD), The Movement For Democracy In Liberia (MODEL) and Political Parties, Accra, Ghana, 18th August 2003.

She added: I cannot concur with my fellow commissioners that “Prosecution in a Court of Competent Jurisdiction and other forms of Public sanction will foster genuine reconciliation, combat impunity to promote justice, peace and security,” for any person or persons whether military or civilian who committed crimes or acts within the period covered 1980- to the adoption of the 1986 Constitution. Article 97 (a) and (b) of the 1986 Constitution states:

a) no executive, legislative, judicial or administrative action taken by the People’s Redemption Council or by any persons, whether military or civilian, in the name of that Council pursuant to any of its decrees shall be questioned in any proceedings whatsoever; and, accordingly, it shall not be lawful for any court or other tribunal to make any order or grant any remedy or relief in respect of any such act. b) No Court or other tribunal shall entertain any action whatsoever instituted against the Government of Liberia, whether before or after the coming into force of this Constitution or against any person or persons who assisted in any manner whatsoever in bringing about the change of Government on the. 12th day of April, 1980, in respect of any act or commission relating to or consequent upon:

She pointed out: I consider it relevant to quote the entire act enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia, August 7, 2003, with Executive Approval on April 8, 2003, by the President of the Republic of Liberia, Dahkpannah Dr. Charles Ghankay Taylor. The Act GRANT IMMUNITY FROM BOTH CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PRECEEDINGS AGAINST ALL PERSONS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA FROM ACTS OR CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE CIVIL WAR FROM DECEMBER 1989 TO AUGUST 2003. Published Authority, August 8, 2003

culled from the INQUIRER