Liberia’s Experiment With Transitional Justice

Last June, Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) threw a live wire into the ranks of the country's post-war establishment. Having gathered more than 20,000 statements and examined many scores of witnesses, the Commission handed down a Final Report recommending that 98 people be prosecuted for violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes committed during Liberia's civil war. Among those named were several sitting members of the country's legislature, a number of prominent businessman and public officials, and a professor at the University of Liberia. The release of TRC's final report has caused displeasure. Here, Steinberg discusses the effects of TRC's release of the final report and its consequences to several commissioners.