Lagos — Former Liberian President Charles Taylor may walk free because the global financial crisis has cut donations to the court trying him for war crimes committed in neighbouring Sierra Leone, its Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp yesterday said.
Reuters reported that the United Nations-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, which is pursuing those held most responsible for atrocities during the country's 1991-2002 civil war," faces a budget shortfall of more than $5 million from May."
Rapp told Reuters that: "With the economic crisis continuing, to get funds is not easy ... If we run out; it is now possible the judges will have to release him. That's our real anxiety."
Taylor, a warlord in a civil war in Liberia and later president, is being tried in The Hague due to fears a local trial may threaten regional stability. He denies all 11 counts of crimes against humanity and other charges including rape, enslavement and conscripting child soldiers younger than 15.
The main section of the court sits in Sierra Leone's seaside capital Freetown and, together with the proceedings regarding Taylor in The Hague, is funded centrally.
Taylor's trial, which began in June 2007, involves the same Special Court judges and prosecutors and he would stay indicted even if freed for lack of funds for his detention. Rapp had said earlier this month a verdict could be expected early next year.
The Freetown session of the court is due to hand down its last verdict on Wednesday, in the trial of the three most senior surviving members of the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The defendants may become the first people in the world convicted for attacks against peacekeepers and forced marriage.
The Special Court has already scored several legal firsts, ensuring the recruitment of child soldiers is now recognised as a crime under international humanitarian law, alongside forced marriage and acts of terrorism against civilians, Rapp said.
"In terms of writing the law, this is one of the most active courts there's ever been," he said from Freetown. Of nine surviving indictees, five have already been convicted of war crimes. Four of the most senior indictees' bar Taylor died or disappeared before they could be tried or judged.
"The really big one, we allege, is there in The Hague, that's Charles Taylor," Rapp said. "We allege he led the RUF into Sierra Leone in 1991 and was their effective leader for much of the conflict." Drug-crazed rebels hacked off villagers' limbs with machetes and over 50,000 people were killed in Sierra Leone's 1991-2002 war, made infamous by the 2006 movie 'Blood Diamond'.
Officials fear lack of funds will jeopardise the court, the first of its kind, relying on voluntary contributions from donor governments to foot the entire bill for the proceedings, estimated to run to $68.4 million for 2008-2010 alone.
"A few important donors have so far not been able to provide financial support to the Court or have provided less than in previous years," Court Registrar Herman von Hebel told Reuters. "These countries include Ireland, France and Germany, as these have always been important donors to us, but there are other donors as well," he wrote in an email.
Britain's contribution of about 3 million pounds a year has slipped by $1.6 million in value due to the pound's depreciation. The court is now turning to "a few countries in the Middle East" for funding, as well appealing to U.S. President Barack Obama's new administration for speedy help to raise a further $30m to see it through to the end of 2010, von Hebel said.
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Those donors countries do not have stupid monies to spend foolishly. They have come to realize that the persecutors have presented a weak case. The persecutors case against Mr. Taylor is all base on lies and deceives. Mr. Rapp you can drum up all the support you possible can, justice will prevail. You were moving around in West Africa, as if you were some czar drumming up support to convict Mr. Taylor while the trial is proceeding. You got the booth from the leaders of West Africa. You came to the UN in New York to drum up support, you were giving death ears, and now you are calling on President Obama and the Arab world to save you before the bell. But let me tell you something Stephen, President Obama is no George Bush. President Obama will not get involved with George Bush mess and dictatorship style of leadership he used to rule the World. If you are not with us you are against us Calling Nations Axis of evils. As for the Arab World, Stephen you can forget it! But continue to try.
You are quite right they do not have stupid money meaning "money in abundance" to give to this tribunal. However, Gobal and United States Human Rights Obsevers have uncovered some credible evidences during this trial that, he ordered the execution of Siera Leoneans and Liberians, some of us saw the news and fighting on CNN. Moreover, this potential news of Taylor came from Nigerian Media. one minute to midnight does not believe the credibility of the source. They are potentially spreading fear amongst Liberians
Hahahaha,
The Court MUST release former president Taylor and let him come to Liberia and face his own people, not the people of Sierra Leone.
There should be no crafted excuses for his release because there is no reason for his imprisonment in the Hague in the first place.
The truth will crush the lies and deceptions and hatred.
Sooner or later, let him be released. We want him in Liberia and not the Hague.
well, i think we liberian got many problems to turn to better than the issue of charles taylor.taylor is a liberian like any other liberian and is welcome back home at anytime he wishes.there are alots of people who even did more wickeness in our country than charles taylor and they are freely driving around the country without problem so i think it is necessary to welcome our former president back home nomatter of what.am sure mr.taylor have already realized his errors and am sure he will be a great testimony to peace and unity in our nation once again.let by gone be by gone and let's face the challenges facing our nation and its people with togetherness nomatter of our political,religions and cultural diffrences.MAMA LIBERIA IS OUR ONLY HOME AND THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
LET GOD BLESS WE ALL. FROM.SAM WAYLEE.
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