Section 7, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2000

(1) The Commission shall, subject to this Act, solely determine its operatingprocedures and mode of work with regard to its functions which shall include the following three components :- (a) undertaking investigation and research into key events, causes, patterns of abuse or violation and the parties responsible; (b) holding sessions, some of which may be public, to hear from the victims and perpetrators of any abuses or violations of from other interested parties; and (c) taking individual statements and gathering additional information with regard to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b). (2) The Commission may seek assistance from traditional and religious leaders to facilitate its public sessions and in resolving local conflicts arising from past violations or abuses or in support of healing and reconciliation. (3) At the discretion of the Commission, any person shall be permitted to provide information to the Commission on a confidential basis and the Commission shall not be compelled to disclose any information given to it in confidence. (4) The Commission shall take into account the interests of victims and witnesses when inviting them to give statements, including the security and other concerns of those who may wish to recount their stories in public and the Commission may also implement special procedures to address the needs of such particular victims as children or those who have suffered sexual abuses as well as in working with child perpetrators of abuses or violations. (5) Decisions of the Commission shall, as far as possible, be taken by consensus and in the absence of consensus, by the majority vote of members of the Commission and the Chairman shall cast the deciding vote where there is a tie. (6) During the course of its operations, the Commission may provide information or recommendations to or regarding the Special Fund for War Victims provided for in Article XXIV of the Lome Peace Agreement, or otherwise assist the Fund in any manner the Commission considers appropriate but the Commission shall not exercise any control over the operations or disbursements of that Fund.