Reparations Program / Mrs. Awa Nana-Daboya “We are not inventing anything, the CVJR has already calculated everything”
The “reparations” program, one of the main recommendations of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR), was officially launched on March 24 in Lomé by Prime Minister Selom Komi Klassou. The reparations program concerns “all persons, regardless of their nationality, who have suffered harm as a result of politically motivated violence or serious human rights violations during the period from 1958 to 2005.” This reparations program comprises several phases. The first takes into account the events of 2005, subdivided into two sub-events: the sociopolitical unrest following the death of President Gnassingbé Eyadéma on February 5, 2005, and the sociopolitical unrest following the presidential election of April 24, 2005. For these two events of 2005, approximately 7,057 victims were identified. The sum of 2 billion CFA francs received from the government by the High Commission for Reconciliation and Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) will be used to compensate 2,475 victims. The remaining victims of 2005, namely 4,582, will be compensated in the next installment. In total, 22,415 victims were identified by the CVJR for the period from 1958 to 2005.
To understand all aspects of this program, Savoir News Agency approached the President of HCRRUN, Mrs. Awa Nana-Daboya
Savoir News: In your speech marking the official launch of the implementation of the Reparations Program on March 24, you emphasized the symbolic nature of the reparations that will be made to victims. What do you mean by the word “symbolic”?
Mrs. Awa Nana-Daboya: I thank Savoir News Agency for its approach, aimed at informing national and international opinion. You know, we are dealing with the reparation of harm suffered by individuals. Do you think it is possible to repair a person who has suffered harm? We often use as an example this woman who, during the sociopolitical unrest, was raped, an act as a result of which she contracted HIV/AIDS. After a month, she realizes she is pregnant. This rape was followed by abuse and violence. Do you think this woman can be repaired? Because to repair means to restore to the original state. She cannot be restored to her original state, because she found herself pregnant with a child whose father she does not know, she carries a disease, she is marked for life. Therefore, in transitional justice, the necessity of forgiving and accepting to turn the page and think about a much calmer future is emphasized. Because forgiveness is priceless. Today we inherit a file from the CVJR, with many victims and listed harms to which symbolic amounts have been assigned. It is a way of showing that we sympathize with their suffering. You know, in matters of unrest of this kind, there is no perpetrator X. In transitional justice, it is the State that failed in its mission to provide assistance and protection to its citizens. It is the State that failed in its governance, and today, after acknowledging its responsibility and presenting its apologies, reaches into its pocket to alleviate the suffering of victims by paying them simple amounts. The symbolic aspect represents the government’s willingness to ask for forgiveness and the victims’ willingness to accept forgiveness and turn the page to renew a new social contract with the State. And even in classical justice, we speak of condemnation to a symbolic franc.
Are there activities that the HCRRUN plans to conduct in preparation for the actual compensation phase? If so, what are the objectives pursued by the HCRRUN through these preliminary activities?
In relation to what I have just said, we must first go and explain this symbolism to the populations. We must go to these victims who are surrounded by members of their families to explain our mission, which is to lead this reparations process and achieve reconciliation. Therefore, we must prepare all these people. Hence the need for a tour to engage with the populations, to help them understand the symbolic nature of these reparations. We will go to the eight regions designated by the CVJR, where we will rely on members of the peace committees established, thanks to UNDP support, in all prefectures. Furthermore, the CVJR also emphasized religious services. Thus, actions will be carried out by all religions to cleanse the blood that was unduly shed on the soil of our ancestors. Libations, offerings, and prayers will also be organized by traditional religions to appease the hearts of victims, because we are in Africa, and we firmly believe in these things. You know very well that our mission is reconciliation. However, before reconciling, one must first reconcile with oneself. And one can only reconcile by invoking God, by praying. Therefore, these are activities that will be carried out before the actual compensation phase. And for this phase, there is a list established by the CVJR, with amounts clearly mentioned. We have targeted three centers, and when the time comes, these victims will be invited to receive these symbolic amounts, as recommended by the CVJR.
But if you conduct all these preliminary activities, how much will you have left?
We are not inventing anything, the CVJR has calculated everything. Therefore, there is an operating fund allocated to conduct all these activities. The HCRRUN will strictly respect its terms of reference.
Referring again to your speech of March 24, 2017, we know that 2,475 victims will be covered by the initial amount of two (2) billion CFA francs allocated by the State. What we do not know, however, is how the HCRRUN was able to select the victims?
We inherited a reparations program developed by the CVJR where each victim is already categorized, with specific amounts. For this beginning, we have only selected victims from 2005 whose amounts are less than one million. We will post all the names when the time comes, and when the victims come forward, they will see the corresponding amounts next to their names.
And how did you determine the amounts?
We have not calculated anything. The CVJR has already done everything: the victims and the amounts. Next to each victim, an amount has been mentioned. We are only here to apply what the CVJR has done. We are not changing anything.
The main objective pursued by the HCRRUN is reconciliation among the daughters and sons of this country. But some are somewhat skeptical, arguing that for true reconciliation, the “alleged perpetrators” of human rights violations known in Togo must take the step, that is, acknowledge their wrongdoing. As was the case in certain countries that went through transitional justice to settle their past. Madam President, what is your response to them regarding the Togolese case?
We are dealing with transitional justice. It is different from classical justice. I often say that each victim knows their “torturer.” In transitional justice, the responsible party is the State. Because it is the State that allowed all these alleged perpetrators to commit their wrongdoing, for not having put sufficient means in place to protect one another. But if a victim knows well the perpetrator of their harm and wants to bring the matter to justice, the State is obliged to assist them so that justice may be served.
What is your final message, Madam President?
First, we must accept to turn the page and look toward the future. It is true, we all know it is difficult. We must avoid vengeance, avoid at all costs seeking to identify the alleged perpetrators. It is a way of reopening wounds, it is a way of opening the door to other conflicts. To the victims, we say: patience, compassion, and faith in God. Vengeance does not belong to this world. The alleged perpetrators know themselves and sometimes they see their victims. And do you think they sleep easily at night? Let us pray for the souls of all those who were wrongly buried and especially for the souls of those who still live with this heavy burden on their hearts. Because the victims have lighter hearts than the alleged perpetrators.
