NEWS RELEASES
CANADA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT
July 31, 2001 (9:10 a.m. EDT) No. 115
CANADA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL
COURT
John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Maria Minna, Minister for International Co-operation, today announced that Canada will contribute $2.25 million over three years
toward the creation of the Sierra Leone Special Court.
The announcement was made following an appeal by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to States for funds, personnel, equipment and services for the
founding and operation of the Sierra Leone Special Court.
"Accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes is an important
part of Canada's human security agenda," said Minister Manley. "By creating a venue
for holding individuals accountable, the Special Court will help to break the cycle of
conflict and lay the foundation for the promotion and protection of human rights in Sierra
Leone."
"In addition to the healing it will promote, the Sierra Leone Special Court will help
strengthen the legal system, which is essential to peace and security in the region," said
Minister Minna. "The establishment of the Special Court will also send a powerful
message, both in the country and internationally, that impunity will not be tolerated."
The Canadian contribution includes $1.5 million over three years from the Canadian
International Development Agency, as well as $750,000 over two years from the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. A portion of these funds will be
used to send Canadian experts to the Special Court to contribute to rebuilding the rule
of law in Sierra Leone.
The estimated requirements for the Special Court amount to US$56.8 million over three
years. To date, the United Nations has received pledges totalling US$35.8 million;
enough to cover the first year of the Court's operation and portions of the second and
third years. Once States have deposited their pledged funds for the Court's first year
into the UN Trust Fund, the Court will be established. This is expected to take place this
fall.
In the past two years, Canada has contributed approximately $13 million for
humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone, mostly through medical services, emergency
shelter, food aid and disarmament initiatives.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget and is
therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
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A backgrounder is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sanjeev Chowdhury
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Mike Murphy
Office of the Minister for International Co-operation
(819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
(819) 953-6534
E-mail: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
BACKGROUNDER
The Sierra Leone Special Court will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. It will have
jurisdiction over individuals who have committed crimes against humanity such as
murder, torture and sexual slavery; war crimes such as mutilation, taking of hostages
and intentionally attacking civilians and peacekeepers; and crimes under Sierra
Leonean law such as abuse of children.
The Special Court will try those who bear the greatest responsibility -- including leaders
-- for committing serious violations of international humanitarian and Sierra Leonean
law from November 30, 1996 forward (the date of the failed Abidjan Peace Agreement).
The Special Court will be a "hybrid" tribunal, applying both international and domestic
laws, and employing both international and domestic staff and judges. The Court will
consist of three organs: the Office of the Prosecutor, the Registry and the Chambers
(both Trial and Appeal). Of the three judges in the Trial Chamber, two will be appointed
by the United Nations Secretary-General and one by the Government of Sierra Leone.
Of the five judges in the Appeals Chamber, three will be appointed by the Secretary-General and two by the Government of Sierra Leone. The Prosecutor will be appointed
by the Secretary-General and the Deputy Prosecutor by the Government of Sierra
Leone. The Registrar will be a United Nations staff member. The working language of
the Special Court will be English.
The Special Court will be established upon the signing of an agreement negotiated
between the Secretary-General and the Government of Sierra Leone and will be funded
entirely by voluntary contributions from States.
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