Faegre & Benson, and
Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
are pleased to announce

a special brown bag panel discussion on

Monitoring Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone

Wednesday, July 14, 2004
12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m.

at

Faegre & Benson
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN  

In May 2004, a delegation of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights staff and volunteers traveled to Sierra Leone to monitor the transitional justice process in that West African country, which is emerging from more than ten years of a devastating civil war. The conflict received international attention for widespread human rights abuses, including amputations, sexual violence, and the forcible recruitment of child soldiers. Two mechanisms have been established to help Sierra Leone's transition to peace: the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is charged with creating an historical record of the conflict and making recommendations to address the needs of the victims, while the Special Court for Sierra Leone is prosecuting those who bear the greatest responsibility for the commission of violations of international humanitarian law.

Members of the Minnesota Advocates' delegation, including volunteers Dianne Heins, Muria Kruger and Jeremy Prestholdt, will discuss their fact-finding mission to Sierra Leone and provide their insights on the transitional justice process. Application for one CLE credit will be made.

• Dianne Heins, Pro Bono Counsel, Faegre & Benson
• Muria Kruger, Attorney, Heins Mills & Olson, P.L.C.
• Rosalyn Park, Staff Attorney, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
• Jennifer Prestholdt, Deputy Director, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
• Jeremy Prestholdt, Professor, Northeastern University

Please R.S.V.P. to Rosalyn Park by July 12, 2004 at 612-341-3302 or ext. 106 [email protected]