The Special Court for Sierra Leone, a UN-backed court, issued its first verdicts today, convicting three former junta leaders of war crimes. The court found the three defendants – Alex Timba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara, and Santigie Borbor Kanu – guilty of 11 of 14 charges, including terrorism, the use of child soldiers, enslavement, rape, and murder. No judgments were issued on the charges of sexual slavery and inhumane acts related to sexual violence, and all three were acquitted of “other inhumane acts” related to physical violence. The three defendants were commanders of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), former government soldiers who split from the army and sided with the RUF rebels during the conflict.
Corrine Dufka, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that today’s verdict marks a watershed. “It’s the first time that an international court has issued a verdict on child recruitment.” David Crane, the founding prosecutor for the Sierra Leone court agreed. “It’s a huge moment for children around the world who have been oppressed in these conflicts. This particular judgment sets the cornerstone forever – those who recruit children into armed force are criminally liable.”
The Special Court for Sierra Leone was established following the end of fighting in 2002 to prosecute the worst offenders. It is estimated that half a million people were the victims of killings, systematic mutilation and other atrocities during the 1991-2002 conflict. To date, the court has indicted twelve people, including former Liberian president Charles Taylor who is accused of backing the rebels. Three of the suspects have since died and the location of one is still unknown. Taylor is currently facing trial in The Hague due to fears that the case would trigger violence. Taylor is also linked to abuses in his own country, but Liberia has opted for a truth and reconciliation commission rather than a court.
For more information, please see:
ABC – Sierra Leone court delivers first war crimes verdicts – 21 June 2007
CNN – Sierra Leone war crimes court convicts 3 – 20 June 2007
USA Today – 3 convicted of Sierra Leone War Crimes – 20 June 2007
Chronicle Journal – Sierra Leone court convicts three junta leaders of war crimes in civil war – June 2007
Mail & Guardian – Sierra Leone court delivers first war-crimes verdicts – June 2007
Yahoo News – Sierra Leone court to deliver first war crimes judgment – June 2007
