More Pictures
” …a civilian boy was dismembered by the RUF - both hands and feet were chopped off after being placed on a log - and how the boy’s torso tossed in a toilet pit “International Criminal Justice in the Making
The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor has resumed
in The Hague.
***
CHARLES TAYLOR CHARGES
Acts of terrorism (WC)
Murder (CAH)
Violence to life, in particular murder (WC)
Rape (CAH)
Sexual slavery and violence (CAH)
Outrages upon personal dignity (WC)
Violence to life, in particular cruel treatment (WC)
Other inhumane acts (CAH)
Use of child soldiers (VIHL)
Enslavement (CAH)
Pillage (WC)
CAH: Crime against humanity WC: War crime VIHL: Violation of international humanitarian law
Acts of terrorism (WC)
Murder (CAH)
Violence to life, in particular murder (WC)
Rape (CAH)
Sexual slavery and violence (CAH)
Outrages upon personal dignity (WC)
Violence to life, in particular cruel treatment (WC)
Other inhumane acts (CAH)
Use of child soldiers (VIHL)
Enslavement (CAH)
Pillage (WC)
CAH: Crime against humanity WC: War crime VIHL: Violation of international humanitarian law
***
Taylor is charged with supporting Sierra Leonean rebels who committed widespread atrocities in a war which killed tens of thousands of people across West Africa.
He has pleaded not guilty.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Taylor is present in court and the first prosecution witness, an economic expert on ‘conflict diamonds’, is giving evidence.
This case is of crucial importance because it is the first international criminal prosecution against a former African ruler. Its resumption comes after a six-month delay.
The war in Sierra Leone was part of a wave of violence across West Africa that killed tens of thousands of people and made millions homeless.
Sierra Leone only became stable after British military forces, supporting United Nations troops, intervened in 2000 to stop the rebels.
The accusation against Taylor, the leader of neighbouring Liberia, is that he backed the Sierra Leonean rebels who committed widespread atrocities including chopping off the hands of their opponents, rape and murder.
Taylor’s trial is focus of international media attention, with most journalists watching the trial on a large screen in a busy press centre.
The first witness is setting the scene for the crimes that were committed in Sierra Leone.
Other initial witnesses this week will be a victim from Sierra Leone and a so-called insider from Liberia who had links to Taylor
Source: ABC
Source: ABC
***
Diamond Imports
