Knowra Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission A commission established after Sierra Leone’s civil war to document human rights abuses, explain the conflict’s causes, and recommend measures to prevent renewed violence.
Truth commission : An official body that investigates past abuses and produces a public account, often after political violence. The Sierra Leone commission used this broader model to document abuses and propose reforms.
Sierra Leone Civil War : An armed conflict in Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002 involving rebel forces, government forces, and intervening troops. The commission investigated abuses and causes arising from this conflict.
National Vision for Sierra Leone : A national framework for building a peaceful and just Sierra Leone, articulated in the commission’s recommendations. The commission framed institutional reform as a path toward preventing renewed conflict.
Criminal justice : The system of investigation, prosecution, adjudication, and punishment for violations of criminal law. Unlike criminal courts, the commission sought a broad account rather than convictions.
Public hearing : A formal proceeding in which testimony and evidence are presented in public. Survivors, former combatants, and other witnesses gave testimony at the commission’s hearings.
Lomé Peace Agreement : A 1999 agreement between Sierra Leone’s government and the Revolutionary United Front intended to end the civil war. The agreement provided for a truth and reconciliation commission.
Child soldiers in Sierra Leone : Children recruited or used by armed groups during Sierra Leone’s civil war. The commission documented their experiences and urged support for their reintegration.
International Criminal Court : A permanent international court that prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. Its prosecution-centered mandate differs from the commission’s national truth-seeking approach.
Confidential statement-taking : The collection of testimony in private, often to protect witnesses or gather sensitive evidence. Private interviews allowed the commission to gather accounts beyond its public hearings.
Revolutionary United Front : A rebel movement that fought Sierra Leone’s government during the civil war. Its campaign and abuses formed a central part of the commission’s investigation.
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