|
|
From Fides ServiceMarch 5, 2009
On February 25, the Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone
found 2 commanders from the United Revolutionary Front (RUF) guilty of crimes
committed during the civil war that concluded in 2002 (see Fides 26/2/2009).
Fr. Gerardo Caglioni, Xaverian missionary with long-time experience in Sierra
Leone, sent Fides his commentary on the country's reaction to the verdict.
“Among the people of Sierra Leone, the common opinion is that the court decision
regarding the three responsible for crimes against humanity and another series
of violations of international humanitarian laws – such as homicides, rape,
slave-like treatment, recruiting children, and terrorist acts among the
population – has been insufficient and that it covers too small a part of the
crimes committed by the RUF rebels in the ten years during which they overran
the area.
The sentence will be pronounced during March, after it has been subject to
approval by various parties.
The Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal for Sierra Leone, Stephen Rapp, has
declared that the ruling acknowledges the terrible crimes committed against the
innocent civilians of Sierra Leone and certainly renders justice to the
suffering of the masses of victims who have been mutilated, enslaved, killed, or
raped, and those who were left homeless and without anything. He also mentions
that the objectives of these men were not military-related, against enemies or
soldiers, but against innocent men, women, and children. This means that these
men chose to commit such terrible acts on innocent people, in an effort to
subject the population by using terror.
This is the first time in the history of the world that men are condemned for a
crime against humanity such as forced marriages.
Amnesty International, has judged the outcome of the process as positive,
however at the same time maintains that there is an insufficient effort taking
place to fight impunity in Sierra Leone, which was ratified with the Lome Peace
Accord. In fact, many others, probably several hundreds, should be facing trial
for the same serious crimes, without necessarily inflicting the death penalty.
Among those in international focus is Charles Taylor, former President of
Liberia.
The international community cannot sit by and wait for this moment to pass,
without taking action. It is called to enforce justice with promptitude, as well
for the sake to the people of Sierra Leone who suffered merciless and bloody
years of war. It should not remain satisfied with an initial result, as positive
as it may seem, if it is yet insufficient in relation to the injustices suffered
by the people. They should ensure that these nations may enjoy a new life soon,
and collaborate with the governments in the speedy transformation of the
country.
The new government in Sierra Leone is also experiencing difficulties at this
time. The electoral promises do not find the right men to make dreams come true
or allow for a rebirth of a new nation. In late February, President Ernest
Koroma was forced to have to substitute men who were not on par with
expectations and in the duties that had been entrusted to them.
Apparently, the immediate reason for a gesture of this kind were the serious
upheavals that occurred during several sports events held at the Inter Secondary
School Sports in Freetown. The police intervened, leaving many people wounded.
However, none of the Ministers of the Government, nor the organizers of the
event, nor the police chiefs bothered to attend the wounded or assure them of
adequate medical attention that would help overcome the lack of materials needed
for attending them.” (L.M.)
