Sierra Leone - Passion of the Present

Archive for the ‘Sierra Leone’ Category

International Justice: Taylor Trial Sets Positive Example

July 25th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The trial benefitted from a high-quality defense, sound handling of witnesses, and dynamic outreach to communities affected by the crimes. At the same time, Human Rights Watch’s analysis identified areas in which practice should be improved for future trials of the highest-level suspects before domestic, international, and hybrid war crimes tribunals.

(Brussels) – The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Posted in Africa, Charles Taylor, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Liberia, Press release, Sierra Leone, Special Court for Sierra Leone, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

Sierra Leone: Landmark Conviction of Liberian Ex-President

April 26th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The conviction on April 26, 2012, of Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, for serious international crimes during Sierra Leone’s brutal armed conflict provides justice for victims and shows that no one is above the law. Taylor was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone on charges that stemmed from his support for rebel groups there.

(The Hague) – The conviction on April 26, 2012, of Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, for serious international crimes during Sierra Leone’s brutal armed conflict provides justice for victims and shows that no one is above the law, Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Africa, Charles Taylor, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Liberia, Press release, Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone civil war, Special Court for Sierra Leone, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

Charles Taylor: Q&A on The Case of Prosecutor v. Charles Ghankay Taylor at the Special Court for Sierra Leone

April 17th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Special Court indicted Taylor on March 7, 2003 on 17 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international law for his role in supporting Sierra Leonean rebel groups during that country’s armed conflict. The Taylor judgment will be a watershed moment for efforts to hold the highest-level leaders to account through a credible judicial process.

I.The Trial of Charles Taylor at the Special Court

1. Who is Charles Taylor?

2. Why are the Taylor trial and the upcoming judgment significant?

3. What are the charges against Taylor?

4. How did the Special Court for Sierra Leone come about?

Posted in Africa, Charles Taylor, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Liberia, Peace and Justice, Q & A, Sierra Leone, Special Court for Sierra Leone | Comments Closed

Sierra Leone: Pass Freedom of Information Bill

April 2nd, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The government of Sierra Leone should urgently pass the pending Freedom of Information Bill (FOI). The legislation would allow members of the public to obtain access to information held by public bodies including information that was previously inaccessible, or that was considered sensitive such as government contracts with multinational companies.

(Freetown) – The government of Sierra Leone should urgently pass the pending Freedom of Information Bill (FOI), the Freedom of Information Coalition Sierra Leone (FOICSL), Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International said today.

Posted in Africa, freedom of information, Press release, Sierra Leone | Comments Closed

“Only one survived”… At a crossroads for women in Sierra Leone

September 12th, 2011 | Author: eherbert

By Lucy Freeman form the Africa Programme, Amnesty International,
On Tuesday, we launched our new report on maternal health care in Sierra Leone.
View report here At a Crossroads: Sierra Leone’s Free Health Care Policy. At the launch, the Ministry of Health committed themselves to implementing the recommendations contained in the report.
The report describes how pregnant [...]

Posted in amnesty international, demand dignity, maternal mortality, Sierra Leone, women | Comments Closed