Notes on Distribution Collection of TRC Call for Nominations

August 24, 2005

At present the selection panel for the truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) commissioners is publicizing the call for nominations. The panel is chaired by the ECOWAS Ambassador and has six other members, two from political parties, three from civil society and the director of the Human Rights and Protection Section.

Any person or institution in Liberia or the Diaspora may make nominations and in an effort to make the process as transparent and participatory as possible Civil Affairs and Human Rights officers have been asked to assist in spreading the message to the hinterland. The deadline for nominations is Saturday 3 September at 2.00pm. We would appreciate your assistance in distributing the call and organizing for nominations to be transported back to Monrovia immediately after and delivered directly to the ECOWAS offices in Congo Town.

The following are some points to note:

1. Please give copies of the call to your Superintendent for him to distribute

2. Please distribute the call as widely as possible during your daily activities in your county.

3. Please, if you have enough paper, distribute the attached summary of the TRC Act and try to inform those whom you distribute to of what the commission is and what it will do.

4. Please emphasize that the call for nominations to the TRC is not connected to the elections.

5. Those who wish to make nominations should bring their nomination to either Civil Affairs or Human Rights offices in an envelope.

6. Where available, Human Rights Officers will be responsible for transportation of nominations to ECOWAS offices, Monrovia. If not, Civil Affairs officers must make arrangements for prompt transportation.

7. The deadline for nominations is Saturday 3 September at 2.00pm. The list of all nominations will be published in newspapers on Wednesday 6 September, so they must be returned before that date.

8. If Civil Affairs officers are unable to travel, they must give the nominations to the next staff member returning to Monrovia to take to ECOWAS offices.

9. Attached is a form that must be filled out to show receipt of nominations. It must be signed by those who deliver the nomination (not necessarily the person or group who has made the nomination) and countersigned by the Civil Affairs or Human Rights Officer who receives it. It should be delivered to ECOWAS along with the nominations.