Update on INCHR as at May 11, 2005

• The INCHR Act was passed unanimously by the National Transitional Legislative Assembly on 1 March 2005.

• Chairman Bryant of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) signed into the law the Act to create the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) of Liberia on 23 March.

• (Acting) Speaker Mr George Kokou requested for a copy of the approved INCHR Act and proof of the signature of Mr Bryant. Also thanked him for his cooperation.

• Civil society meeting at Center for Democratic Empowerment on proposed larger civil society meeting on March 28 on INCHR implementation issues.

• Distribution of INCHR Act to the civil society organizations during the last week of March and first week of April.

• A copy of the Act given to Dr Charlotte Abaka, the United Nations Independent Expert on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Liberia. She is also briefed on its importance and the related issues. She has been requested to mention about the appointment issue in her report.

• A press release was issued on the name of SRSG Mr Klien on the passage of the INCHR Act in which, among other things, he reiterated that the Act will become enforceable only after its publication in the government Handbills, and provisions relating to the appointment of the Commissioners could then be implemented.

• Mr Klein’s press release was distributed to all major human rights NGOs, the local newspapers, and the UNMIL radio also carried it.

• Meeting with Centre for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE) held again on April 13 and the interaction programme with civil society groups were finalised. Adam led the meeting. Decided to take it as the joint programme.

• Explained the HRPS policy on INCHR Act and appointment process to all staff at the Retreat on April 16. Act shared with them. Also requested them to include the Act in their sensitization programmes.

• INCHR calls donor meeting on April 18 requesting them to provide fund to the Commission. Chriss Bakara attended the forum on behalf of HRPS as an observer.

• April Meeting with William Hooks, Director of Publications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about the process of writing the INCHR Act in the Handbills, without which the law is not considered to be in force. This is the local gazetting process, which involves printing of the law in required numbers. Hooks pleaded lack of fund to do the job.

• Civil society meeting held at CEDE office on INCHR Act and the implementation issues on April 19. Fifteen representatives participated. Adam spoke about the official policy of UNMIL regarding the appointments of INCHR and TRC commissioners, and answered queries from the participants. Most of the participants disagreed with Atty Dempster Brown who opined during the discussion that the re-appointment process need not be activated. Bipin explained the participants about the characteristics/features of the new Act. The three hour meeting was a very successful events.

• The April 19 meeting was participated by CEDE, LDRC, MODHAR, FOCUS, LDW, SDWCR, LIWOMAC, FOHRD, LHETP, UNDP, LICORNET, INCHR and others.

• Received on May 5 a letter from Abel M. Massalay, Acting Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting us to assist the Ministry to underwrite the printing cost of the Act. The letter was attached with some quotations from the local printers.

• Diverted the request to the UNDP (Awa Dabo) on May 6 who agreed to consider doing the job for the Ministry. Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified to contact UNDP.