Editorial
Truth commission a pragmatic step
But effectiveness hinges on integrity of persons manning it
THE formation of a Truth and Accountability Commission (TAC) is a promising measure with considerable beneficial potential that can be greeted with qualified approval.
The plain fact of the matter is that the existing judicial system is at present over-burdened due to the on-going anti-corruption drive, and a sensible measure that is aimed at streamlining the process and permitting a more swift dispensing of justice is something to be welcomed.
Especially, since the initial tenure of the commission will be the remaining six months of this interim government, and there is every need to resolve outstanding cases without further delay, it certainly seems to be an innovation that is worth trying.
Essentially, the commission, as envisioned, is functionally little different from a system of allowing lesser offenders to plea bargain, thus moving their cases to swift completion, and permitting the investigating authorities to spend more time and resources on the major offenders with more complicated cases.
Of course, there are potential problems that we need to watch out for. It is imperative to guard against abuse of the system, specifically external influences of any kind. Thus, the commission must remain fully independent of executive or other outside control.
And it is critical that the commission not be used as a vehicle to shield wrong-doers from justice or to let them off the hook lightly. The most important element will still be the investigative element, to ensure that people are neither able to hide their assets nor avoid making a full accounting of their crimes.
There is no reason why, if it is staffed and headed by conscientious and capable men and women, and run with integrity and efficiency, that the commission should not operate as a useful adjunct to the administration of justice.
One caveat is the rule that newsmen face fines and jail-time for the vague crime of attempting to influence the commission. We do not understand why the commission sees itself as uniquely vulnerable to such efforts; the same laws which apply to keep newsmen from improperly attempting to influence court decisions or from printing baseless or motivated stories in general should be sufficient to protect the integrity of the commission.
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