UN Security Council mission visits Sierra Leone Special Court
The 14-member Security Council mission visiting seven West African countries today went to the independent Special Court for Sierra Leone, where people accused of crimes during the country's eight-year conflict are being tried.
The 14-member Security Council mission visiting seven West African countries today went to the independent Special Court for Sierra Leone, where people accused of crimes during the country's eight-year conflict are being tried.
The mission, led by British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, was briefed by Registrar Robin Vincent and Prosecutor David Crane on the workings of the Court, which was established in 2002.
The trials of people accused of having committed crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violations of international humanitarian law under the umbrella of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) started on 3 June. Trials of people accused of similar crimes while members of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) will begin on 5 July.
The other mission members represent Algeria, Angola, Benin, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, Spain and the United States. Russia did not take part.