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Dakar
08 April 2009
Sierra Leone's war crimes tribunal has sentenced three former rebel
chiefs to long prison terms for crimes against humanity.
The
interim leader of the rebel Revolutionary United Front, Issa Sesay, was
sentenced to nearly 700 years in prison. But because the judge ordered
that his separate sentences for 16 counts of war crimes and crimes
against humanity be served concurrently, Sesay will be incarcerated for
a maximum of 52 years.
That is the longest sentence handed down
by the special court, which was established by the United Nations and
the Sierra Leone government. The court can not impose the death
penalty or a life sentence.
Former RUF commander Morris Kallon will serve a maximum of 39 years. Commander Augustine Gbao will spend 25 years in prison.
The
three most-senior surviving members of the RUF were found guilty of
murder, rape, sexual enslavement, attacks against U.N. troops and the
use of child soldiers.
Kallon's lawyer, Charles Taku, denounced his client's sentencing.
"This is a travesty of justice," said Taku. "And I can also say that it is a complete mockery of international criminal justice."
Corinne
Dufka, who directs West Africa operations for the U.S.-based group, Human
Rights Watch, says the three men orchestrated the violence that
left tens of thousands of people maimed as rebels cut off victims'
arms, legs, noses and ears.
"They
commanded troops that roamed the towns and villages and the Sierra
Leonean countryside, committing some of the most unspeakable and
horrific atrocities - from their signature atrocity of amputation to
horrific sexual violence against girls and women," she said.
All
three men were found guilty of so-called "forced marriage" - the first
time that sexual assault verdict has been handed down by an
international tribunal.
Alhaji Jusu Jarkah heads a group of Sierra Leonean amputees and war wounded.
"We are very much happy as victims," he said. "We see that the law has taken its course."
These
are the eighth and last sentences by the Freetown session of the
special court. Corinne Dufka of Human Rights Watch says it puts on
notice current-day perpetrators of war crimes in Africa and around the
world that no one is above the law.
"In
Sierra Leone, the eight people who have been convicted were really
considered untouchable," added Dufka. "That was a very profound, well-ingrained
perception among Sierra Leoneans that the big men simply got away with
murder, mutilation, rape, massacres and other crimes. So I think that
precedent has begun to be broken."
Dufka lived more than three years in Freetown during
the civil war. She says the Special Court's work could have a profound
impact on Sierra Leone's political future.
"I
think the true test of whether the Special Court has had an effect will
be the extent to which Sierra Leoneans today begin to hold their
leaders and others accountable for different types of crimes," said Dufka,
"primarily the bad governance and corruption, which, in fact, gave rise
to Sierra Leone's brutal armed conflict in the first place."
The
last defendant before the Special Court is former Liberian leader
Charles Taylor. He faces an 11-count indictment for crimes against
humanity, including, murder, rape and enslavement.
His trial was moved to The Hague because of fears that his supporters might disrupt proceedings in neighboring Sierra Leone.
Mr.
Taylor's attorneys opened their defense this week by asking judges to
acquit the former rebel leader because they say prosecutors have failed
to prove their case against him. Prosecutors are expected to respond
to the defense motion on Thursday.
If the motion is denied and the trial continues, Mr. Taylor's lawyers say he will be their first witness.
Sierra Leone's war crimes tribunal has sentenced three former rebel
chiefs to long prison terms for crimes against humanity.
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