27 April 2012

“Today is for the people of Sierra Leone” – says Special Court Prosecutor Brenda Hollis

Today is Sierra Leone’s 51st independence anniversary, and Sierra Leoneans across the world will be celebrating the country’s independence from British colonial rule.

But amid those celebrations, the people of Sierra Leone will reflect on the landmark indictment and conviction of former Liberian warlord – Charles Taylor yesterday, by the International Criminal Court at The Hague.

The Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone – Brenda J. Hollis, applauded the
conviction of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Sierra Leone during its eleven-year civil war. Hollis lauded the conviction as another victory in the fight against impunity.

She said that; “Today is for the people of Sierra Leone who suffered horribly because of Charles Taylor. This judgement brings some measure of justice to the many thousands of victims who paid a terrible price for Mr. Taylor’s crimes.”

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Abdul R Thomas – Editor

26 April 2012

Throughout the course of human history, there has been a handful of very bad men who have done very bad things to humanity, and today, Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia has won his place in the annals of the world’s most wicked and ignoble men.

He has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed against the people of Sierra Leone.

More than 50,000 people were killed and tens of thousands left amputated by the rebels in Sierra Leone.

As he stood at the International Court of Justice in The Hague this afternoon to receive the verdict, Charles Taylor showed no emotion, after a long trial lasting five years.

Many viewers in Sierra Leone and Liberia watching the live court proceedings, could have been forgiven for thinking that, behind that steely motionless demeanour, Charles Taylor was already beginning to plan his escape from British prison, where he is expected to serve at least 50 years jail term.

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