Title: To affirm strong United States-Liberia ties and support for democratic principles, and call for full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations, including the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Affirms strong U.S.-Liberia ties.
Urges the government and people of Liberia to support full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations, including the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal.
Supports efforts by the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to advance Liberian national reconciliation.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1055 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1055

To affirm strong United States-Liberia ties and support for democratic 
     principles, and call for full implementation of the Truth and 
Reconciliation Commission recommendations, including the establishment 
           of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 7, 2018

  Mr. Donovan (for himself and Mr. Johnson of Georgia) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
To affirm strong United States-Liberia ties and support for democratic 
     principles, and call for full implementation of the Truth and 
Reconciliation Commission recommendations, including the establishment 
           of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal for Liberia.

Whereas today the United States is home to an estimated 80,000 people of 
        Liberian ancestry in vibrant communities across the country, who have 
        been instrumental in America's efforts to build a peaceful, democratic, 
        and prosperous Liberia;
Whereas Liberia and the United States share close historical, political, and 
        economic ties over the course of a nearly 200-year relationship;
Whereas the people and Government of the United States have a deep interest in 
        Liberia's democratic stability and postconflict development;
Whereas the civil war from 1991 to 2002 resulted in the death of over 200,000 
        people in Sierra Leone and Liberia, the displacement of over 1,000,000 
        persons, and the horrific cases of amputations, mass rape, and human 
        rights abuses conducted under the leadership of Charles Taylor;
Whereas Charles Taylor was convicted through the Special Court for Sierra Leone 
        for 11 different charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, such as 
        rape, sexual abuse, and slavery, and violation of international law, 
        including the use of child soldiers;
Whereas a comprehensive peace agreement was signed by the Government of Liberia, 
        rebel groups, and political parties in 2003;
Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as established under the 2003 
        comprehensive peace agreement, was formally created in 2005 with a 
        mandate ``to promote national peace, security, unity and reconciliation 
        by investigating gross human rights violations and violations of 
        humanitarian law, sexual violations, and economic crimes that occurred 
        between January 1979 and October 2003'';
Whereas the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a report in December 
        2008 recommending the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal 
        Tribunal for Liberia and listed individuals, corporations, and 
        institutions recommended for further investigation and prosecution, 
        among other recommendations;
Whereas the Government of Liberia has not fully implemented the recommendations 
        of the Truth and Reconciliation Agreement to date, including the 
        establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal;
Whereas Liberia experienced its first democratic and peaceful transition of 
        power since 1944 after President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf respected 
        constitutional term limits and George Weah defeated Vice President 
        Joseph Boakai following a runoff during the 2017 Presidential elections;
Whereas the United States congratulated the people of Liberia on the successful 
        conclusion of the Presidential runoff election and recognized the 
        important role Liberia's Supreme Court, political parties, security 
        forces, and civil society organizations played in holding a peaceful and 
        transparent contest; and
Whereas the United States Government and American citizens have invested in 
        Liberia to rebuild and support democratic institutions, postconflict 
        recovery, economic growth, improved access to education and health care, 
        professionalization of the country's military and civilian security 
        forces, and efforts to foster accountability and transparency of 
        government institutions: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) upholds its commitment to maintain and foster the 
        enduring relationship between the people and the Governments of 
        the United States and Liberia;
            (2) urges the Government and people of Liberia to support 
        the truth and reconciliation process through full 
        implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and 
        Reconciliation Commission, including the establishment of an 
        Extraordinary Criminal Tribunal; and
            (3) supports efforts by the Department of State and United 
        States Agency for International Development to advance Liberian 
        efforts toward national reconciliation through continued 
        support for the rule of law, effective governance, and the 
        robust role of civil society.
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