TRC Reacts To Media Report
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) denies media reports that its Chairman Cllr. Jerome Verdier recently spoke to the press in defiance of the Writ of Prohibition of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
In its May 1, 2008 edition captioned: “Commissioner Bull Remains Suspended”, the News Newspaper reported that the Chairman of the TRC Cllr. Verdier stressed that Commissioner Pearl Brown-Bull will remain suspended for time indefinite despite the Supreme Court stay order.
The TRC refutes this report in the strongest term as it bears no iota of truth. The report is only intended to undermine the integrity of the commission and to create a false impression that has the potential to engender friction between the Supreme Court and the TRC.
The Commission wants to state that the Chairman has at no time made any public statement regarding the indefinite suspension of Commissioner Pearl Brown-Bull after receiving the writ of prohibition from the Supreme Court of Liberia on April 22, 2008.
The intent of the publication, the commission believes is malicious and ill intentioned.
The TRC is a transitional justice institution that will at all times uphold the rule of law and will never perceive itself as being above the law or acting in any manner or fault that will disrespect the highest court of the land.
The TRC firmly believes that the foundation of the new Liberia must be the rule of law, hence its chairperson, who holds faith in this principle and will not engage in any act that undermines the integrity of the Supreme Court or disobey it.
The TRC reiterates a statement contained in the opening remarks of Chairman Jerome Verdier at the opening of public hearings in Tubmanburg on April 20, 2008: “We may ignore the law, violate the law, or misinterpret the law or even be ignorant of the law, but we must never put ourselves above the law. We should do what the law says and obey the orders of the courts even when we disagree or feel it is against our intrinsic interest. No orderly and progressive society will succeed without respect for the rule of law and the sacred institutions charged with administering and enforcing it. It is both our duty and honor to respect the law and obey it.
