Sierra Leone Special Court Offers Lessons for Prosecuting Highest-Level Suspects

Human Rights Watch,New York 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. 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…
Read more...Tags:Charles Taylor , Charles Taylor Trial , Liberian former president , Sierra Leone Special Court
Taylor’s Conviction: Lessons for African, Other Dictators

Human Rights Watch,New York 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. 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…
Read more...Tags:Charles Taylor , Human Rights , Liberian former leader , The Hague , War Crimes Court
Former Liberian Leader’s Fate to be Decided April 26 in Europe

The Netherlands The U.N. war crimes court trying Charles Taylor for atrocities in Sierra Leone said on Thursday it will deliver a verdict on April 26, nearly five years after the former Liberian president went on trial in the Netherlands.
Read more...Tags:Charles Taylor , Former Liberian leader , Liberian Government , War Crimes Court in The Hague
Charles Taylor and the Delayed Special Court for Sierra Leone Judgment

By Charles C. Jalloh,U.S.A The case against the former Liberian president Charles Taylor, who is being tried at the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) in The Hague on an 11-count indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity, formally started with the prosecution’s opening statement on June 4, 2007.
Read more...Special Court for Sierra Leone to Hold Contempt Proceedings

By Alpha Sesay Special Court for Sierra Leone judges have issued orders for two separate contempt proceedings to be held in respect of allegations that several individuals have attempted to contact prosecution witnesses with bribes for them to recant their evidence against accused or convicted persons.
Read more...Tags:Charles Taylor , Human Rights , Liberian civil war , Special Court for Sierra Leone at the Hague
