International Criminal Court’s Action Against al-Bashir
Question and Answer
On July 14, 2008, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) requested a warrant of arrest for Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir on charges of ten counts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The request for a warrant raises a number of questions, answers for some of which are below.
July 14, 2008 Questions and Answers
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“From Nuremberg to Darfur: Accountability for Crimes Against Humanity”
Hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law
Human Rights Watch appreciates the invitation to submit a statement for the record on this important subject. Justice for serious crimes under international law – which include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture – is crucial. Accountability brings redress to the victims and signals that heinous abuses will not be tolerated.
June 24, 2008 Testimony
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Letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on His Upcoming West Africa Tour
We are writing to you in advance of your meetings in Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire as part of your upcoming four-nation West African tour. Human Rights Watch welcomes the significant work done by the human rights and rule of law sections within the United Nations peacekeeping missions in both Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, particularly with respect to the monitoring of and reporting on persistent human rights abuses. We write today to urge you to use your meetings with Liberian and Ivorian government officials, UN mission representatives, and members of civil society to address a few key issues, especially related to justice for past crimes, which Human Rights Watch believes are vital to restoration of respect for human rights and the rule of law, and in turn a durable peace in both countries.
April 18, 2008 Letter
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Coercion and Intimidation of Child Soldiers to Participate in Violence
Child soldiers are often compelled by their commanders to engage in combat operations, participate in human rights abuses against civilians, and carry out punishments against fellow soldiers under threat of severe punishment or execution. In this backgrounder, Human Rights Watch describes methods of coercion and intimidation used against child soldiers serving in armed conflicts in Angola, Burma, Colombia, Liberia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
April 16, 2008 Background Briefing
Statement by Richard Dicker to the Sixth Session of the Assembly of States Parties
The ICC has made important strides in the past year. It has issued arrest warrants for alleged perpetrators of grave crimes in three country situations. It has opened a fourth investigation in the Central African Republic and has started preparing for its first trial, which will begin in the spring of 2008. Through its field offices in four countries, there has been important progress in enhancing the court’s presence on the ground. We have also seen important developments in case law emanating from the pre-trial chambers.
December 7, 2007 Oral Statement
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UN: ICC Needs Backing to Bring Justice for War Crimes
Secretary-General to Address ICC Meeting at UN Headquarters
The United Nations secretariat and the 105 states that have joined the International Criminal Court should step up support for the court so that it can bring justice for war crimes, Human Rights Watch said today as the ICC opens its annual meeting in New York.
November 30, 2007 Press Release
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“No Safe Haven: Accountability for Human Rights Violators in the United States"
Hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law
Human Rights Watch appreciates the invitation to submit a statement for the record on this important subject. On December 6, 2006, the US Department of Justice took an unprecedented step to ensure accountability for human rights violators who are in or come to the United States. The department brought the first-ever criminal charges for torture committed abroad. The charges are against Charles “Chuckie” Taylor, Jr., the son of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor and also a US citizen, who entered the United States in March 2006. The charges relate to Taylor, Jr.’s role in committing torture as head of a security unit under his father’s presidency in Liberia.
November 14, 2007 Testimony
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We do believe that former heads of state deserve a fair trial
Bringing their tormentors to book is an important way for victims to recover their dignity, says Reed Brody
John Laughland suggests that human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, are more concerned about the conviction of former heads of state than about them getting fair trials. Nothing could be further from the truth.
October 25, 2007 Commentary
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In War-Crimes Trial, A Signal to Africans
Response to an editorial in The New York Times
Published in The New York Times
The challenges judges need to rise to in trying war-crimes cases fairly and efficiently were evident at the opening of the trial of Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, which I observed for Human Rights Watch. But the significance of a trial of a former head of state associated with horrendous crimes shouldn't be obscured because the proceedings didn't open without a hitch.
July 18, 2007 Commentary
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Questions and Answers on Charles Taylor's Trial Before the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Questions and answers about the court, charges and location of Charles Taylor's trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
May 31, 2007 Questions and Answers
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Charles Taylor: Liberian Ex-President Goes on Trial
Landmark Step in Bringing Justice for Human Rights Violations
The trial beginning June 4 of former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes committed during Sierra Leone’s 11-year brutal armed conflict sends a strong signal that no one is above the law, Human Rights Watch said today. Taylor’s trial by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone will provide an important chance for victims to see justice done.
May 31, 2007 Press Release
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US: Justice Dept. Brings First Charges for Torture Abroad
Ex-Liberian President’s Son Indicted for Torture in Liberia
The US Department of Justice today took a major step against impunity for atrocities in bringing its first-ever criminal charges for torture committed outside the United States, Human Rights Watch said today.
December 6, 2006 Press Release
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U.S.: Investigate Ex-Liberian President’s Son for Atrocities
Taylor Jr. in U.S. Custody on Passport Charges
Charles “Chuckie” Taylor, Jr., son of the former Liberian president, is due to be arraigned next week in Miami on a U.S. passport violation, but the Justice Department should investigate him for his role in grave human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.
June 30, 2006 Press Release
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Charles Taylor: Hague Trial Must Be Accessible to West Africans
Former Liberian President Arrives in the Netherlands for War Crimes Trial
With the transfer of Charles Taylor to The Hague for trial, the U.N.-backed war crimes court for Sierra Leone and its donors must ensure that the former Liberian president’s trial remains accessible to the people of West Africa, Human Rights Watch said today in a briefing paper.
June 20, 2006 Press Release
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Taylor Trial: U.K. Removes a Key Obstacle
Court, Donors Must Make a Hague Trial Accessible to West Africans
The British government’s decision today to offer detention facilities for Charles Taylor if he is convicted removes the main obstacle to relocating the former Liberian president’s trial to The Hague, Human Rights Watch said today
June 15, 2006 Press Release
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U.S.: Investigate Taylor’s Son for Torture, War Crimes
Son of Ex-Liberian President in U.S. Custody, To Be Arraigned on Tuesday
The U.S. Department of Justice should investigate with a view to prosecuting Charles “Chuckie” Taylor, Jr., the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, for torture and war crimes, Human Rights Watch said today. The younger Taylor is implicated in committing such abuses while he served as the commander of an elite pro-government military unit in Liberia.
May 26, 2006 Press Release
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Why is the EU Turning its Back on West Africa?
By Elise Keppler, Counsel, International Justice Program
Published in European Voice
As the transfer of Liberia's former president to face trial in The Hague remains stalled, the EU ministerial meeting this week with the Economic Community of West African States could not be more timely.
May 24, 2006 Commentary
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Taylor Trial: A Third Country Must Step Forward
The transfer of former Liberian President Charles Taylor to face trial in The Hague remains stalled unless a third country steps up to take Taylor if he is convicted, Human Rights Watch said today.
April 27, 2006 Press Release
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Sierra Leone: Ex-leader of Liberia to War Crimes Court
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was captured as he attempted to escape Nigeria on March 29, and he was transferred to the U.N.-backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone. Taylor has been indicted by the court for war crimes and crimes against humanity for supporting rebel forces guilty of killings, mutilations, sexual violence, and the recruitment of child soldiers during Sierra Leone's brutal war. Human Rights Watch played a leading role in pressing government and U.N. officials, publicly and privately, to ensure that Taylor would be held accountable for his alleged crimes.
April 11, 2006 Advocacy Impact
Charles Taylor's trail of carnage
By Corinne Dufka
Published in New Statesman
In the early hours of 29 March a Land-Rover with Nigerian diplomatic number plates arrived at a border post linking north-east Nigeria with Cameroon. It passed through immigration and was on its way through customs when officials realised that among the passengers was one of the world's most wanted war criminals: Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia. For those who care about justice this was a historic moment, and one many believed could never come.
April 10, 2006 Commentary
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