Written answers

Tuesday, 4 April 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

International Criminal Court Trial

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department's views of the Charles Taylor case; if there is knowledge of where this person is; and his views on the possible repercussions of this person not standing trial for the fragile peace which pertains in Liberia. [13109/06]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position with regard to the former leader of Liberia, Mr. Charles Taylor; and the views he and his Department holds of where, in the event of Mr. Taylor being found, the trial of Mr. Taylor ought to be held, Sierra Leone and Liberia itself having been mentioned as possible locations. [13110/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 118 together.

On 29 March 2006, Mr. Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, was arrested in Nigeria, having violated the terms of his exile there, and moved via Liberia to the custody of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Irish members of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, provided an air escort for Mr. Taylor from Liberia to Sierra Leone and delivered him to the Special Court. The Government is proud of the important role played by the Defence Forces in bringing Mr. Taylor to account.

Liberia has made remarkable progress since the comprehensive peace agreement of August 2003. The parliamentary and presidential elections held in October 2005 marked the return of democracy to the country after 14 years of civil war. The extradition of Mr. Taylor further consolidates the new democratic dispensation in Liberia. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, visited Liberia last week and I requested him to convey the congratulations of the Government to President Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson when he met with her on 30 March 2006. The fact that this extradition was undertaken in a spirit of regional co-operation between Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone augurs well for future peace in the region.

The Special Court for Sierra Leone was set up in 2002 following a request from the Government of Sierra Leone to the UN that the international community try those with greatest responsibility for the violent conflict that took place there between 1996 and 2002. Mr. Taylor is one of the most high profile indictees. He is indicted on 11 charges related to his support of rebel armed forces in Sierra Leone. These include war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international law including sexual slavery, mutilations and the use of child soldiers.

At the request of the Special Court, the Netherlands and the International Criminal Court, ICC, have agreed to host his trial on condition that the UN Security Council passes an authorising resolution. Measures are in hand to secure swift agreement on such a resolution in New York. The Netherlands also asked that a third country would accept Mr. Taylor once a verdict had been delivered and that the Special Court would make its own arrangements to use the facilities of the ICC. The trial will remain at all times under the jurisdiction of the Special Court.

I understand that the request to transfer Mr. Taylor's trial to The Hague was prompted by fears that his presence in Sierra Leone could provoke unrest in the region. On 30 March 2006, President Johnson-Sirleaf expressed support for the transfer and extended an invitation to all former associates of Mr. Taylor against whom there is no charge to return and live freely in Liberia. She also reiterated her determination to pursue an agenda dedicated to bringing prosperity and development to Liberia.

Ireland strongly supports the Special Court and has contributed over €1 million to it. An Irish judge, Ms Therese Doherty, sits on the court and is expected to preside over Mr. Taylor's trial.

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