[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 42 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SIERRA LEONE SPECIAL COURT INDICTMENTS

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise to call my colleagues' attention 
to the historic developments that have unfolded in Sierra Leone in 
recent days.
  On Monday, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, a body charged with 
bringing to justice those most responsible for the horrific war crimes 
that occurred in that country, issued its first indictments. Seven 
people were indicted for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and 
violations of international humanitarian law: Foday Sankoh, Johnny Paul 
Koroma, Sam Bockarie, Issa Hassan Sesay, Alex Tamba Brima, Morris 
Kallon, and Sam Hinga Normam. The subjects of these initial 
indictments--ranging from infamous RUF leader Sankoh to former junta 
leader Koroma to Cabinet Minister Norman--clearly illustrate the 
commitment of the Court and of Sierra Leone to genuinely break with the 
past, and to firmly asset the illegitimacy of all of the abuse and 
atrocities of the past, not just that portion committed by one faction 
or another. Five of the indicted individuals are under arrest today; 
two remain at large. I urge the international community to ensure that 
they are found, arrested, and turned over to the court.
  This development is an important step toward breaking the cycle of 
violence and impunity in West Africa--a cycle that plunged the people 
of Sierra Leone into a long national nightmare from which they have 
only begun to recover. That same cycle is responsible for the ongoing 
suffering of the people of Liberia, and now threatens the once-stable 
country of Cote d'Ivoire. It is true that fear of accountability may 
provoke some actors to try to disrupt the progress made in Sierra Leone 
thus far, but the history of that beautiful country has shown that 
turning a blind eye to the abuses of the past only ensures more in the 
future. The people of Sierra Leone are bravely pursuing justice. They 
deserve international support.

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