On International Justice Day, ICTJ Looks at Legacy of Special Court with 'Seeds of Justice: Sierra Leone'
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 17, 2013 -- As the world marks International Criminal Justice Day, the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) looks at the impact of international courts on societies where mass atrocities have occurred.
ICTJ’s new multimedia project "Seeds of Justice: Sierra Leone" presents the voices of five Sierra Leoneans of different backgrounds reflecting on the legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL).
After ten years of a brutal civil war, in which tens of thousands of people were killed, raped, and mutilated and hundreds of thousands were expelled from their homes, the government of Sierra Leone joined the United Nations in 2002 to create the Special Court for Sierra Leone, to try those most responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The court has made a significant contribution to international jurisprudence and played a role in moving the focus of prosecutions for serious crimes back to the national plane,” says David Tolbert, president of ICTJ. “Its legacy is rooted in recognizing victims’ rights to justice, strengthening the rule of law, and fighting impunity in Sierra Leone.”
The Special Court is notable as the first tribunal of its kind established in the country where crimes were committed, helping to bring trials closer to victims and their families. It is also the first “hybrid” court to combine international and national staff.
Over the past 10 years, the court has indicted 13 individuals, including former Liberian President Charles Taylor, the first sitting African head of state to be indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity (BBC News, April 26, 2012). In May 2012, the court’s Trial Chamber sentenced Taylor to 50 years in prison for planning, aiding and abetting crimes committed by rebel forces in Sierra Leone (New York Times: May 30, 2012). His case is now under appeal.
As the work of the Special Court draws to a close, ICTJ joins Sierra Leoneans as they reflect on SCSL’s lasting legacy for their country. “Seeds of Justice: Sierra Leone” is part of ICTJ’s year-long project “Exploring the Legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone” and captures personal reflections on the court from a diverse group of Sierra Leoneans: a women’s rights activist, a lawyer, a traditional chief, a businesswoman, and an advocate for persons with disabilities who is himself an amputee.
One of the subjects is Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, the principal defender at the Special Court and the first Sierra Leonean to hold the position. After rebels invaded Freetown, she fled to Guinea and then Gambia as a refugee.
“West Africa was up in flames before the court came,” says Carlton-Hanciles in her video portrait. “But [now] perpetrators know in no uncertain terms that the long arm of the law is here to stay.”
The Special Court has brought a measure of justice for victims, and most Sierra Leoneans have a positive view of the court, according to surveys. Its trials have been an opportunity for citizens to learn the truth about what happened during the conflict, and its courtrooms have provided a legal forum for hundreds of victims to come forward and tell their stories.
Still, the court has been criticized for prosecuting a relatively small number of perpetrators and for failing to provide reparations to victims and their families, many of whom continue to suffer the terrible effects of the conflict.
“Many of us were pleased when the verdict [against Charles Taylor] was passed at The Hague. But still much needs to be done to address the needs of persons who were amputated during the war,” says Mohammed Bah, an amputee and activist for survivors with disabilities featured in “Seeds of Justice.”
Through photography by award-winning photographer Glenna Gordon, “Seeds of Justice: Sierra Leone” features interviews with Mohammed Bah, Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, Chief Kasanga, Princess AD Rogers, and Aminata Sesay. It is the latest in a series of ICTJ projects using multimedia to present transitional justice issues to diverse audiences.
Refik Hodzic, International Center for Transitional Justice, http://ictj.org, 917-637-3853, [email protected]
Share this article