West Africa: Human Rights Watch calls for justice in West Africa

U.N. Security Council: Ensure Justice in West Africa
Security Council to Be Briefed on Progress of Sierra Leone's
U.N.-Backed War Crimes Court

(New York, May 24, 2005) ? The United Nations Security Council
should work toward the prompt surrender of former Liberian President
Charles Taylor to Sierra Leone's U.N.-backed war crimes court,
Human Rights Watch said today.

This morning the Security Council will be briefed on the progress of
the Special Court for Sierra Leone by the tribunal's president, Justice
Emmanuel Ayoola. Since 2002, the court has been working to bring to
justice those who "bear the greatest responsibility" for war crimes
committed during Sierra Leone's brutal civil war.

The Special Court has indicted Taylor on 17 counts of war crimes and
crimes against humanity. The Security Council should affirm the
urgency of Taylor being held accountable and commit itself to explore
with Nigeria, which granted Taylor conditional asylum, a strategy to
surrender him to the court as soon as possible.

"Charles Taylor should face trial for his alleged role in the death, rape,
abduction, and mutilation of thousands of civilians during Sierra
Leone's civil war," said Richard Dicker, director of the International
Justice Program at Human Rights Watch. "His continued safe haven
undermines justice for the victims whose lives were torn apart during
this brutal war."

"The U.N. Security Council must act to ensure Taylor's prompt
surrender to face trial at the Special Court," Dicker emphasized.

Taylor, indicted by the court two years ago, has been in exile in
Nigeria since he was forced from power in August 2003. In addition to
Taylor's surrender, ensuring that the court has adequate security and
funding are key for the court to complete operations.

Taylor is in exile in Nigeria as a result of an arrangement tacitly
agreed to by the United States and the United Kingdom, among others.
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Taylor was given
asylum to avoid excessive civilian casualties in Liberia when
government troops under Taylor battled rebels for control of the
Liberian capital Monrovia in July and August 2003. The arrangement
reportedly includes a condition that Taylor refrain from interfering in
Liberia's political affairs.

Taylor's continued evasion of justice not only mocks the victims of
war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone, but also
poses a risk to stability in West Africa, Human Rights Watch said.
There are persistent reports that Taylor is involved in destabilizing the
government of Guinea and meddling in the internal political affairs of
Liberia, which is due to hold general elections in October.

"Once again, Taylor's actions could be putting innocent lives at risk in
West Africa," said Dicker. "Whatever deal was made two years ago to
give Taylor asylum in Nigeria, he has more than broken the terms."

Officials from the Prosecutor's Office of the Special Court said they
have received information that Taylor was involved in a January 2005
assassination attempt on Guinean President Lansana Conté. There are
also allegations that he may be supporting an insurgency against the
Guinean government composed of fighters loyal to Taylor. During the
Liberian civil war of 1999-2003, Guinea provided logistical assistance
to rebels which in July 2003 overran Monrovia. There are other
allegations that Taylor remains in frequent contact with members of
his former government. According to Special Court officials, Taylor
traveled from Nigeria to Burkina Faso in February to meet with
Liberian presidential hopeful Francis Galawolo.

"Taylor is a poster child for the link between justice and security in
West Africa," said Dicker. "The Security Council's handling of the
Taylor issue will be a clear test of its commitment to both."

The Special Court for Sierra Leone began operating in Freetown in
July 2002 and is expected to function only on a short timeframe.
Human Rights Watch researchers who were recently in Freetown
found that the Special Court continues to make major achievements to
bring accountability for atrocities committed during Sierra Leone's
civil war, which lasted from 1991 to 2002.

Three trials of nine indictees are being held simultaneously. Numerous
witnesses from around the country are testifying, receiving needed
protection and support. A defense office is helping to protect the rights
of the accused, monitoring the situation of detainees and advocating
for resources to ensure a vigorous defense. Outreach continues to
effectively canvass the country with information about the court
through video, radio, and public discussions.

Nevertheless, the court, which was initially supported entirely by
voluntary contributions, has faced significant difficulties in raising
adequate funds to operate. A grant from the United Nations has made
continued functioning possible. Additionally, while security for the
court has to date been provided by the U.N. Mission in Sierra Leone
(UNAMSIL), this force is expected to withdraw from Sierra Leone by
the end of 2005.

"The Special Court has made tremendous accomplishments in the face
of serious obstacles," said Dicker. "It must have adequate funding and
security to finish its work."

Background on Charles Taylor and the Special Court

Elected president of Liberia in 1997 after a seven-year war that ousted
former President Samuel Doe, Charles Taylor gained notoriety for the
brutal abuses against civilians committed by his forces in Liberia, and
for his use of child soldiers organized in "Small Boy Units." Forces
supported by Taylor have since been involved in conflicts in
neighboring Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire.

The Special Court has the power to prosecute serious violations of
international law and certain violations of domestic law committed in
Sierra Leone since November 30, 1996. The United Nations created
the Special Court through an agreement with the government of Sierra
Leone.

For Human Rights Watch's report on the Special Court for Sierra
Leone, see "Bringing Justice: the Special Court for Sierra Leone." For
Human Rights Watch's reports on crimes committed in Sierra Leone,
see "Sowing Terror: Atrocities Against Civilians in Sierra Leone,"
"Sierra Leone: Getting Away with Murder, Mutilation, and Rape," and
"Sierra Leone: We'll Kill you if you Cry."

To view this document on the Human Rights Watch web site, please
go to: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/05/24/sierra11004.htm