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15/06/2006
Charles Taylor may be jailed in UK
The Foreign Secretary has announced that, subject to Parliament passing the necessary legislation, the United Kingdom would allow the former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, to serve his sentence in the UK, should he be convicted by the Special Court for alleged war crimes in Sierra Leone.
Making the announcement today Margaret Beckett said: "I was delighted to be able to respond positively to the request of the United Nations Secretary General that, should he be convicted, Charles Taylor serve his sentence in the UK.
"My decision was driven by two compelling arguments. Firstly, that Taylor's presence in Sierra Leone remains a threat to peace in that region. Secondly, that we are demonstrating through concrete action the UK's commitment to international justice."
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is being tried by a war crimes tribunal for allegedly backing rebels in Sierra Leone's civil war.
However, the UK Parliament would be required to pass new legislation to allow Mr Taylor to serve his prison sentence, if convicted.
The Dutch government has agree to host the trial at The Hague, but several European countries including the Netherlands have declined to imprison the former Liberian head of state.
Liberian authorities remain concerned that putting Mr Taylor on trial in Africa could lead to further unrest in the war torn region. Liberia experienced a 14-year-long civil war, brought to a close when Charles Taylor was exiled in 2003.
Sierra Leone on the northern borber of Liberia suffered a devastating civil war from 1991 to 2002.
UN peacekeepers finally withdrew from Sierra Leone in 2005 and elections are scheduled for 2007.
(SP/GB)
Making the announcement today Margaret Beckett said: "I was delighted to be able to respond positively to the request of the United Nations Secretary General that, should he be convicted, Charles Taylor serve his sentence in the UK.
"My decision was driven by two compelling arguments. Firstly, that Taylor's presence in Sierra Leone remains a threat to peace in that region. Secondly, that we are demonstrating through concrete action the UK's commitment to international justice."
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is being tried by a war crimes tribunal for allegedly backing rebels in Sierra Leone's civil war.
However, the UK Parliament would be required to pass new legislation to allow Mr Taylor to serve his prison sentence, if convicted.
The Dutch government has agree to host the trial at The Hague, but several European countries including the Netherlands have declined to imprison the former Liberian head of state.
Liberian authorities remain concerned that putting Mr Taylor on trial in Africa could lead to further unrest in the war torn region. Liberia experienced a 14-year-long civil war, brought to a close when Charles Taylor was exiled in 2003.
Sierra Leone on the northern borber of Liberia suffered a devastating civil war from 1991 to 2002.
UN peacekeepers finally withdrew from Sierra Leone in 2005 and elections are scheduled for 2007.
(SP/GB)
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The peace process in West Africa remains in jeopardy so long as exiled former President Charles Taylor of Liberia, indicted for war crimes, is at liberty in Nigeria and continues to intervene in Liberian politics, the prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone has said.
Liberian peace 'jeopardised' by former president
The peace process in West Africa remains in jeopardy so long as exiled former President Charles Taylor of Liberia, indicted for war crimes, is at liberty in Nigeria and continues to intervene in Liberian politics, the prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone has said.
10 October 2013
Charles Taylor To Serve His Sentence In The UK
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is to serve the rest of his prison sentence in the UK, according to Justice Minister Jeremy Wright. Taylor was found guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, terrorism and using child soldiers in April 2012 at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Charles Taylor To Serve His Sentence In The UK
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor is to serve the rest of his prison sentence in the UK, according to Justice Minister Jeremy Wright. Taylor was found guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, terrorism and using child soldiers in April 2012 at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
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UN calls for $69m Liberian aid package
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UN calls for $69m Liberian aid package
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