Abstract

The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (LTRC), in its attempt to investigate human rights violations that occurred during Liberia's 14-year civil conflict, is the first truth commission to systematically engage a diaspora community. The LTRC Diaspora Project was an innovative effort and will likely serve as a model for future truth commissions. As such, it is timely to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the Diaspora Project. This article is a reflection on the author's experience as a LTRC volunteer in Chicago. Having worked in one of the cities with the lowest levels of participation, I consider some of the local challenges the Diaspora Project faced and provide recommendations on how future truth commission efforts to engage diaspora communities might do so more effectively.

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