Ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor’s judgment set for April 26
The Special Court for Sierra Leone on Tuesday set April 26 to give judgment in the case of Former Liberian President Charles Taylor’s role in the brutal conflict of Sierra Leone.
“The judgment will be a major development for victims of horrific crimes committed in Sierra Leone during its armed conflict, which ended in 2002,” a statement issued by the Court in The Hague, has said.
The statement described Mr Taylor as “one whose influence extended throughout West Africa and the first former head of state to face judgment in an international or hybrid international-national court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The Special Court indicted Mr Taylor on March 7, 2003, for crimes – including murder, terrorizing civilians, rape, sexual slavery, and recruiting and using child soldiers – committed during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict.
The statement recounted that Taylor after enjoying safe haven in Nigeria, was apprehended in March 2006 and transferred to The Hague for trial by the Special Court.
The Special Court for Sierra Leone was created by an agreement between Sierra Leone and the United Nations to prosecute “those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996”.
Eight individuals associated with the three main warring factions have been tried and convicted by the Special Court in Freetown, and all are serving their sentences in Rwanda.
The Taylor trial, held in The Hague due to concerns raised over stability in the West African sub-region, is expected to be the final trial of the Special Court, which is in the process of winding down its operations.
Source: GNA
am a Liberian Born living in Monrovia and a Graduate of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice Administration & Law Enforcement.
I just want to let the World know that Mr. Charles G. Taylor is not guilty of the alleged crimes that he is facing prosecution for in the Netherlands. I say this because when you take a clear look at the trail there is no real evidence to prove Mr. Taylor guilty of the crimes alleged upon him. The law states that for an individual to be held responsible for crime there must be evidences to prove him/her guilty of the crime. With the case of Mr. Taylor, there isn’t any real evidence to prove him guilty of the cimes committed in Sierraleone.
I want African Leaders and World Leaders to know that it is a big disgrace for all Africans to see a constituted elected president to go into excile with the pressure from foreign powers like the United States and Great Britain. I want us all to know that this kind of humiliation can not take place in the home of the white people. Then why should this happen to Africans. It is Mr. Taylor today, it could be any other African. Let us all stand for the release of Mr. Taylor.
Taylor, you will and must be released. Liberians are exspecting your safe arrival into Liberia.
God bless you. We love you.
Mr. Flomo Giovinni Kezele, Sr.
I THINK MR TAYLOR SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR AL WAR CRIMES WITHIN THE SUB-REGION. IF YOU ASK ME WHY? THE ANSWER IS BECAUSE I AM WITNESS TO THE FACT THAT HUNDREDS OF MY TAYLOR REBEL FORCES CROSSED THROUGH A BORDER TOWN(MY GRAN MOTHER’S VILLAGE OF YOUNG ISLAND WITH SIERRA LEONE) INTO SIERRA LEONE BACK IN 1991-1992 AT MID NIGHT AND DAWN INTO SIERRA TO FIGHT AND LOOT.
SO HOW COME HE SHOULDN’T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS PART IN THE CRISIS IN SIERRALEONE? HE IS GULTY!
I suport the fact that Mr Taylor should be heald responsible for the crimes commited in Liberia and Sirre Leon.Mr Taylor used the native people children to kill oneanother.