PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT

PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT

This is the text of today’s press statement on the Sierra Leone Special Court by the President of the Security Council, Mignonette Patricia Durrant (Jamaica):

Members of the Security Council were briefed by Under-Secretary-General Hans Corell, head of the Office of Legal Affairs, on the status of the establishment of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

            Members of the Council were advised of the current level of pledges to the trust fund and the amounts received so far.  Members of the Council expressed appreciation to those countries, which have pledged contributions, and noted that additional funding was still required for establishment of the Court.

Members expressed concerns that delay in establishing the Court is a delay in bringing justice and reconciliation to the people of Sierra Leone.  Members took note that preparations for establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission were continuing.

Members noted that the Secretariat is sending a planning mission to Sierra Leone at the end of the month.

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