A special war crimes court is vital to bring the perpetrators of human rights violations in Sierra Leone to justice, the country's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations told a Duke audience Thursday.
Ambassador Allieu Kanu spoke on the history of civil strife within Sierra Leone and the need to prosecute those who committed atrocities during its civil war. The country signed an agreement with the United Nations two months ago providing the legal basis for the court, which will use both national and international judges. It could begin trials in the fall and have its first verdict by the end of the year.
"It was a creature of the government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations," Kanu said. "The role of the special court is not only to try people but also to establish the will and accountability of the law."
The court, funded primarily by the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Canada, can prosecute crimes that have occurred since 1996. Sierra Leone must comply with any request it makes.
But, Kanu cautioned, "It will not persecute for the sake of persecution." He added that the court will examine all parties in Sierra Leone equally.
Sierra Leone's history is filled with internal turmoil and human rights violations. Although the country held elections during the mid-1970s, a one-party state was declared in 1978--during that time, Kanu said, many demonstrators were brutally suppressed and others executed.
The oppressive regime and economic difficulties propelled Sierra Leone into its current civil war. Although the country held elections in 1996 and reached a cease-fire agreement with its chief militant faction, the Revolutionary United Front, the group continued its attacks, Kanu said.
"It was a peace agreement with a deceptive idea of peace," he said.
In 1997, a military coup put into power officers who freely committed acts of violence throughout the country. Atrocities, like mutilation, rape and executions, occurred on a daily basis, Kanu said.
He added that nations around the world did not offer assistance and even added to the chaos. "The international community forced my president to sign a cease-fire agreement with the rebels," Kanu said.
In May 2000, the United Nations took action in the wake of the execution of 29 demonstrators, Kanu said. That was when the idea for the special war crimes court was born.
Although the special court is not yet fully operable, Kanu said he is optimistic about its future. "Hopefully, in the not too distant future, the court will be up and running," he said.
The Sierra Leone court is unique in that it will be the first international court to sit in the country where the crimes were committed. The Hague hears cases from the Balkans, while a Rwanda genocide court is based in Tanzania.
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