A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

• Given the extent of the Liberian diaspora in West Africa and other parts of the world, the
Government of Liberia should work in collaboration with the governments of countries
where members of the Liberian diaspora have been reported in order to match the names
with those of the missing family members. The creation of a National Information Bureau,
as recommended by the International Committee of the Red Cross (Resolution 14, 1986) 24
could serve as an appropriate source of the missing persons name collection and matching.
• The Government of Liberia “should closely co-operate with competent intergovernmental
and non-governmental organisations and in particular the U.N. High Commissioner for
Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.” 25
• The Government of Liberia should adopt a policy across ministries of assisting relevant
entities, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and victims groups, in
locating the graves of the dead and in accounting for the missing and the dead. 26 The Liberian
Refugee Resettlement and Repatriation Commission should play an important role in tracing
activities, given its role in registering returning refugees. Tracing should be done even when
individuals believe that their family members are most likely dead – TRC statements from
the diaspora and experience in other countries suggests that some family members still may
be alive. 27
Potential Implementation Strategy: Facilitating Family Reunification
The government should “recognize the right of [internally displaced persons] to family unity, including
both the right to remain together in displacement and the right to domestic reunification when
separated.” 28 It should “facilitate inquiries and tracing requests and establish a centralized database
or registry for the collection, coordination, management, and protection of all information relating
to missing persons and requests for reunification.” 29 The Government of Liberia may wish to consider
working in conjunction with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to launch a widespread
campaign similar to that carried out in Columbia to issue identification documents to internally
displaced persons. 30
• The Government of Liberia should ensure that parties to the conflict, such as the Armed
Forces of Liberia, the Liberian National Police, and other state entities assist in the search for
persons reported missing. 31
• The Government of Liberia should adopt appropriate legislation or official policy as necessary
to facilitate the issuance of death certificates for the dead and those missing who are presumed
dead.
Programs for Vulnerable Groups: Victims of Sexual Violence
Sexual violence was widespread throughout the conflict and was perpetrated against both men and
408