Security Council Press Statement on Charles Taylor Judgement

 

By Appeals Chamber of Special Court for Sierra Leone

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued on 27 September by Council President Gary Quinlan ( Australia):

The members of the Security Council welcome the issuance of the judgement of the Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the case of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, which upheld his conviction and 50-year sentence for aiding and abetting and planning crimes against humanity and war crimes during Sierra Leone’s civil war.  Serious crimes and violations of international humanitarian law, including murder, rape and enlisting children into armed forces, are of particular concern.  This judgement is an important step in bringing to justice those individuals who bear the greatest responsibility for such crimes, regardless of their official status.  The members of the Security Council reaffirm their determination to end impunity for serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council recognize the importance of the judgement to the victims of crimes committed in Sierra Leone and express their deepest sympathy to them and others who suffered during the hostilities.

The members of the Security Council congratulate the Special Court for Sierra Leone on the delivery of this final judgement, concluding the appellate proceedings in the case against Charles Taylor, and welcome the pending completion of the Special Court’s mandate.  The members of the Security Council will continue to offer strong support to the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone as it commences its functioning in the coming weeks, and call upon Member States to contribute generously to the Residual Special Court.

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For information media • not an official record