NEWS RELEASES
CANADIAN APPOINTED TO SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT
July 25, 2002 (3:00 p.m. EDT) No. 84
CANADIAN APPOINTED TO SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT
Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and John McCallum, Minister of National Defence, today welcomed the
appointment of Brigadier-General Pierre G. Boutet as a judge on the Sierra Leone Special Court by United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
"I am very pleased that Brigadier-General Boutet has been chosen to undertake this important role," said Minister Graham.
"As a judge on the Special Court, he will help ensure that those who have committed war crimes and crimes against
humanity in Sierra Leone are held accountable."
"I am proud of the role the Canadian Forces play in promoting and implementing peace and security around the world,"
said Minister McCallum. "The appointment of Brigadier-General Boutet is another example of our strong commitment to
justice and sustainable peace. His extensive experience in military and international humanitarian law will be invaluable to
the Special Court."
The Special Court consists of eight judges, five appointed by the UN Secretary-General and three by the Government of
Sierra Leone. The Special Court is a "hybrid" tribunal, applying both international and domestic laws, and employing both
international and domestic staff and judges.
The Court will concentrate on those who bear the greatest responsibility for committing crimes against humanity, such as
murder, torture and sexual slavery, war crimes, such as mutilation and intentionally attacking civilians, and crimes under
Sierra Leonean law, such as abuse and abduction of girls. Based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Special Court will cover the
time period from November 30, 1996 (the date of the failed Abidjan Peace Agreement), forward. The Court is expected to
be established this fall.
Brigadier-General Boutet has had a long-standing career as a judge within the Canadian Forces where he served for five
years as the Judge Advocate General, just under six years as the Chief Military Trial Judge and five years as a Military Trial
Judge. Brigadier-General Boutet is currently the National Defence/Veterans' Affairs Liaison Officer. He serves on the
Board of Directors of the International Society for Military Law and the Law of War.
Canada is contributing $2.25 million over three years to the Special Court. A portion of these funds will be used to send
Canadian experts to the Court to help in rebuilding the rule of law in Sierra Leone. Canada's support for the Special Court
is consistent with its foreign policy objective of promoting accountability and eliminating impunity for extremely serious
international crimes.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Department of National Defence
Media Liaison Office
(613) 996-2353 or (613) 996-2354
http://www.dnd.ca
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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