[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 179 (Tuesday, November 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9491-H9493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AFFIRMING STRONG UNITED STATES-LIBERIA TIES AND SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC
PRINCIPLES
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (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.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1055
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
[[Page H9492]]
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and to include any extraneous material in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1055, which affirms the
strong ties between the United States and Liberia and calls for full
implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
recommendations.
I want to thank Representative Donovan and Representative Johnson for
their work on this resolution.
During my time as chairman of the Africa Subcommittee, we held
hearings and we pressed legislation to bring attention to the brutal
civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone that killed 200,000 people and
that displaced more than 1 million, one of whom was also an orphan,
orphaned by this conflict, and he worked in my own office here in
Congress.
We heard testimony, for example, also, from a young girl no more than
10 years old who recounted the atrocities she, herself, endured during
the war, a gruesome illustration of the horrific and lasting impact
this conflict had on the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International
Organizations Subcommittee worked across party lines and alongside the
international community and alongside the people of Liberia and Sierra
Leone to apprehend the notorious warlord Charles Taylor, and I would
like to thank our staff director, Tom Sheehy, for his help in this
regard. Today, Charles Taylor remains behind bars.
In 2003, the Government of Liberia, rebel groups, and political
parties signed a comprehensive peace agreement. A Truth and
Reconciliation Commission was created, which recommended the
establishment of a war crimes tribunal to ensure justice for the people
of Liberia. This would be along the same lines of what we had worked to
effectively establish for the people of Sierra Leone in terms of their
special court.
Unfortunately, however, this war crimes tribunal for Liberia has
never been established, although Liberian Government figures and
Liberian activists alike have continued to call for one. This
resolution repeats this important call.
We have turned the page on this horrific chapter in Liberia's
history. In March, the U.N. peacekeeping mission there officially
ended. It is not often we get to celebrate the successful end of a
mission, and we remember the 202 peacekeepers that lost their lives to
bring peace and to bring stability to the region.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was democratically elected in 2005
and reelected in 2011 before stepping down from power. Last year, the
country experienced its first democratic transition of power since
November of 1944. This further strengthened democratic institutions,
and it set an important precedent for future leaders.
Much more needs to be done to crack down on corruption and create a
more conducive environment for trade and economic investment. The
government must ensure the policies are in place to encourage business
to invest and grow and create jobs, but this resolution affirms the
U.S. commitment to continue to partner with Liberia to support civil
society, rule of law, and good governance. We stand by the Liberian
people in their continued efforts for a more prosperous and a more
democratic Liberia.
The United States and Liberia share close historical, political, and
economic ties over the course of our nearly 200-year relationship. The
United States is home to 80,000 people of Liberian ancestry. This
resolution commends this diaspora population, which has been
instrumental in America's efforts to build a peaceful, democratic, and
prosperous Liberia.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise in support of this measure.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Donovan for his work on this
resolution which reaffirms America's relationship with Liberia and
calls for the Government of Liberia to hold accountable those who
carried out mass violence and atrocities during the country's civil war
in the 1990s. That war resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 people
and was marked by gross human rights violations.
In the wake of this conflict, the Liberian Government started working
to investigate the horrific crimes committed during the war. In 2005, a
Truth and Reconciliation Commission put forward recommendations to
follow through on those efforts. But now, 10 years later, the
Government of Liberia still hasn't fully implemented those
recommendations.
Liberia, as the chairman pointed out, and the United States share
close historical, political, and economic ties. We in the United States
are committed to helping Liberia prosper as a stable democracy.
The 2017 elections were an important turning point. This was the
country's first peaceful democratic transition of power since 1944.
Today's measure rightly congratulates Liberia for this achievement.
For Liberia to fully move forward, it must deal with its past. So
this resolution urges Liberia to implement the recommendations from the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. There must be justice and
accountability for the atrocities committed during Liberia's Civil War.
Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us today is a very important step
to continue our strong relationship with Liberia, and I am happy to
support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to
reclaim the time I previously yielded back.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
[[Page H9493]]
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan), an esteemed Member from the
Committee on Foreign Affairs and the author of the resolution.
{time} 1730
Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1055, to
affirm strong United States-Liberian 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.
My district, Staten Island and South Brooklyn, is home to thousands
of Liberians who have fled the turbulence of civil war. My constituents
have directly told me how important it is to them that Liberia
establish an extraordinary war crimes tribunal.
At this very moment, people who have committed unspeakable war crimes
hold positions in the Liberian Government. Murder, rape, mutilation,
torture, unfortunately, Liberia has seen it all. Although it has been
decades since these atrocities have occurred, wounds cannot be healed
without justice for victims.
Moreover, this lack of accountability is leading Liberia into a slow
creep backwards towards the murderous mayhem of its civil war days.
Without the justice Liberians are rightfully clamoring for, I fear
there will be further violence and turbulence. This is why it is so
crucial to call upon Liberia to establish a war crimes tribunal.
As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I have had the great
pleasure of working with Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel and
the chairman of my subcommittee, Mr. Smith of New Jersey. The
bipartisan manner in which they have conducted committee business in
order to move impactful and consequential legislation is something
truly to be admired and replicated.
Thank you, Chairman Royce.
Thank you to Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, Chairman Smith,
and my Democratic coleader, Congressman Hank Johnson, and all of our
other cosponsors for supporting this resolution.
I would also like to thank the committee staff, especially Meg
Gallagher, Sean ONeill, and Marie Spear, for their work on this matter.
I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution and continue to
seek justice across the globe.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and
International Organizations.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.
Res. 1055, offered by my good friend and colleague, Dan Donovan. This
is an important piece of legislation. It underscores the unfinished
business towards Liberia.
Liberia is one of our best friends and allies, historically to the
present day, for very many reasons, including the fact that freed men
and women and former slaves from this country went back and helped to
make Liberia what it is today.
Unfortunately, they have had people like Charles Taylor, a despotic
leader who killed and maimed and enabled gross rape. He, personally,
has been held to account by the Court for Sierra Leone.
We all know that David Crane, chief prosecutor, who has testified
before my subcommittee on several occasions, did a wonderful job in
bringing large numbers of people to justice. Charles Taylor, for
example, got 50 years. I will never forget that infamous photo of
Taylor looking down at the floor, never thinking that he would get a
50-year jail term for his crimes.
But there are many others who never got prosecuted. The Truth and
Reconciliation Commission made serious recommendations that have not
been implemented, including establishment of a criminal tribunal for
Liberia.
The time has come. Dan Donovan's bill puts the House clearly on
record in saying we think this needs to be done, and it needs to be
done now. I thank him for his leadership. On the subcommittee, he has
been a great voice of reason and strength, as well as for human rights,
particularly for those in Liberia. Last September, he chaired one of
our hearings on Liberia, and I thought he did a masterful job, and I
want to thank him for that leadership.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important bipartisan bill. I urge its
passage.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I yield myself the
balance of my time.
I again want to thank Mr. Donovan and Chairman Royce for their work
on this effort. We want to ensure that the U.S. continues to enjoy its
centuries-long relationship with Liberia.
The measure puts the United States on record again, once again,
encouraging Liberia in the right direction toward democratic stability
and accountability. So I urge all Members to support this resolution,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank my colleagues. I thank
Representatives Dan Donovan and Hank Johnson for their work on this
legislation, as well as Chris Smith, Eliot Engel, and Karen Bass for
their support.
The U.S. stands by the Liberian people, those living in Liberia, and
the diaspora in their continued efforts for a more prosperous and a
more democratic Liberia.
Reconciliation from the atrocities of the past is an important step
in this process and will ensure peace, and it will ensure that the
stability remains. The U.S. must continue to support civil society,
rule of law, and good governance to strengthen democratic institutions.
I urge my colleagues to support this important measure, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res.
1055, legislation affirming the United States' strong relationship with
Liberia.
Liberia gives us hope that if we are willing to face truth of our
past there can be hope for unity after devastating divisions. It takes
courage to honestly face your history and find ways to move forward as
a country. We must commit to supporting and encouraging this burgeoning
democracy.
It has been an honor to work with my colleague Rep. Donovan. I am
encouraged by his commitment to this cause. I am pleased to stand
before you today to voice my unwavering support for H. Res. 1055 and
ask for yours as well.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1055.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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