Charles Ghankay
Taylor, the former President of Liberia, was convicted today on all counts of
an 11-count indictment which alleged that he was responsible for crimes
committed by rebel forces during Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war. The
Special Court’s Trial Chamber II found unanimously that Mr. Taylor aided and
abetted RUF and AFRC rebels in the commission of war crimes and crimes against
humanity in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Taylor was
convicted on Count 1 for acts of terrorism (a war crime), on Count 2 for murder
(a crime against humanity), on Count 3 for murder (a war crime), on Count 4 for
rape (a crime against humanity), on Count 5 for sexual slavery (a crime against
humanity), on Count 6 for outrages upon personal dignity (a war crime), on
Count 7 for cruel treatment (a war crime), on Count 8 for inhumane acts,
including mutilations and amputations, (a crime against humanity), on Count 9
for the recruitment, enlistment and use of child soldiers, on Count 10 for
enslavement (a crime against humanity), and on Count 11 for pillage (a war
crime).
The Prosecution had
not alleged that Mr. Taylor had committed these crimes in person, but that he
participated from Liberia in the commission of crimes by AFRC and RUF rebels
and, under Articles 6.1 and 6.3 of the Special Court Statute, was individually
responsible for them. The Chamber found that he had aided and abetted the
rebels by providing them with arms and ammunition, military personnel,
operational support and moral support, making him individually responsible for
their crimes.
Charles Taylor is the
first head of state to be indicted, tried and convicted by an international
tribunal.
The Chamber has
scheduled a sentencing hearing for Wednesday, 16 May 2012, and the sentencing
judgement will be delivered on Wednesday, 30 May 2012. Under the Special Court
Rules, sentences must be given in a specified term of years. The Special Court
may not impose a life sentence or the death penalty.
Mr. Taylor was
ordered remanded in custody until the 16 May hearing.
At the Special Court,
both Prosecution and Defence may appeal. A notice of appeal must be filed
within 14 days of the full judgement and sentence.
The Special Court for
Sierra Leone is the first “hybrid” tribunal, created by an agreement between
the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone, and is the first modern
court to have its seat in the country where the crimes took place. It is the
first court to convict former rebel and militia leaders for the use of child
soldiers, for forced marriage as a crime against humanity, and for attacks
directed at United Nations peacekeepers.
With today’s judgment, the Special Court
has reached a major milestone, and is on course towards being the first modern
international criminal tribunal to complete its mandate.
Released
By:
Outreach And Public Affairs Office
Special Court For Sierra Leone
