YFN-SL ends symposium on justice
With support from the Special Court of Sierra Leone, Youth Forum Network Sierra Leone concluded its symposium on the trial of Charles Taylor. (Photo: Former Liberian president, Charles Taylor)
Giving a run down on the trial, the post conflict recovery officer, Patrick J.B Tucker said the Special Court for Sierra Leone is trying Charles Taylor on account of his alleged involvement in the Sierra Leone war.
Adding that although the trail is held in The Hague, Charles Taylor is still being tried by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
He said the trial is taking place on the premise of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He said Taylor was charged with war crimes, terrorizing civilians, murder, outrages on personal dignity, cruel treatment, and looting.
He furthered that he was indicted with five counts of crimes against humanity, murder, rape, sexual slavery, mutilating and beating, and one count of serious violations of international humanitarian law on the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
He added however that thirteen people were indicted by the special court namely: RUF Late Foday Saybana Sankoh, Sam “Maskita” Bockarie, Issa Hassan Sesay, Morris Kallon and Augustine Gbao; AFRC Johnny Paul Koroma, Alex Tamba Brima, Ibrahim Bazzy Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu aka “five-five; CDF Sam Hinga Norman, Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa and former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
In his remarks the national coordinator Youth Forum Network, Edmond Pratt said as a youth organization, it is their duty to keep communities and the school going children informed about the ongoing trial, adding however that over three million five hundred have been transformed from negative to positive.
Giving an overview of the programme, Sallieu L. Kamara said the that Special Court for Sierra Leone was established on January 16, 2002 under an agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone.
He said it was established to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity other serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since November 30,1996.
In outlining the role of the national Youth Commission in it pursuit for peace building, a representative Mr.Cobe said that one of the roles of the National Youth Commission is the promotion of peace.
He said the Government, UN and development partners have agreed that youth employment was one of the three major threats to the country’s stability.
By Mary .I. Kamara
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