NEWS RELEASES

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.