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-JPC Boss Declares
By J. Dominic Farley
The National Director of the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Catholic Church of Liberia, Counselor J. Augustine Toe, has debunked critics of the controversial TRC Report saying that legislative approval is no prerequisite to the implementation of the report. He said the Joint Resolution that was passed by the National Legislature last year calling on the President not to start proceeding with the implementation of the TRC Recommendation was wrong. The JPC Director added that such action was in violation of the law and that it has no basis in both logic and law.
      In an apparent reference to what might be seen a slight contradiction in legislature’s posture, the Counselor, averred that he thinks “The legislators are realizing the facts that the Report does not need legislative endorsement before implementation and that he was glad that the legislators were now calling on the President to make report to them”. He invoked Section 48 of the Act that created the Commission and pointed out that the Act clearly and unequivocally stipulates that three months after the submission of the TRC Report, the President of Liberia should make the first report to the National Legislature and, by extension, to the Liberian people on the progress in the implementation of the TRC report.  He said during reporting to the Legislature on the progress of the TRC report, this TRC Act demands the president to state any reason why a specific portion of the Report is not implemented. He maintained that the President, while giving that report, is under legal obligation to state that. Counselor Toe noted that the excuse given by the lawmakers when they passed the Joint Resolution was illegal, bogus and tantamount to institutionalizing the violation of the Liberian laws.  
    The JPC boss spoke on Wednesday in Monrovia at a major news conference when he released what the human rights arm of the Catholic Church calls analytical and objective summary report on the general state of affairs in the country. That situational report looks at the people and national developments impacting the political, economic and social conditions of the Nation and its people. Human rights issues including press freedom and security concerns are very crucial to the report.
    Responding to the question whether the Government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s can muster the courage and political will to implement the TRC recommendations, Cllr. Toe asserted that the President took an oath to defend and protect the constitution and all statutory laws of Liberia including the TRC Report. He expressed optimism saying “And I hope that this Government will muster the will to implement the recommendation made by the TRC.” The JPC boss stressed that it behooves all Liberians to ensure that this government does not circumvent the process, noting that the maneuvering of some legislators is only intended to delay the process, “but let me tell you, this process can be delayed it can not be denied.”
    He said some individuals who are heavily indicted in the TRC report are shouting all around here that the historical document should be thrown into the Trash Can, something, according to the philosophy of JPC is an insult to Liberians who are truly searching for a genuine way forward  to national healing and reconciliation. Cllr. Toe warned that while the JPC appreciates and supports individual freedom of expression as enshrined in the Liberian constitution, certain individuals in this country need to “shut up” so that “the souls and bones of those they sent to their early graves will rest in peace until judgment day.”
    Analysts believe that come 2011 general and presidential elections, the TRC report would be a formidable issue to be reckoned with, especially for those politicians who have already been indicted by the TRC.