United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday hailed the opening of the landmark trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor on war-crimes charges as “an important day” for the fight against impunity.
“This is an important day for the international community, contributing to the fight against impunity and the strengthening of the rule of law, not only in West Africa, but in the world as a whole,” said a statement released by Ban’s spokesperson, Michele Montas.
In The Hague, Taylor, the first African head of state to stand trial for war crimes before an international tribunal, boycotted the opening of his trial by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), insisting he would never receive a fair hearing and dismissing his lawyer.
“The trial of Charles Taylor is a significant move towards peace and reconciliation in Sierra Leone and in the region,” Ban said.
Taylor faces 11 charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 1991 to 2001 civil war in Sierra Leone, considered one of the most brutal in modern history.
Up to 200Â 000 people were killed in the fighting and thousands more mutilated or raped in a blood diamond-financed rampage by rebels.
Ban is to begin an official visit to Spain on Tuesday after a two-day trip to Panama for talks with Latin American leaders. — AFP