Global Justice for Taylor of Liberia

The article sought to bring to the notice of the world the on-going trial of former Liberian strongman Charles Taylor. The article reasons that the trial of Mr Taylor is a welcome development.The trial of the former Liberian president who is being accused of war crimes is taking place at the International court of Justice at The Hague.

Taylor is being accused of aiding and supporting the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in their bloody revolt that saw the murder of thousands in Sierra-Leone. Taylor is just one of a long list of former African leaders who have been accused of 'bleeding their countries dry'. The article points out that like former Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic, Mr Taylor has opted to using a 'stalling tactic' to delay his on-going trial. Although it is alleged that Taylor stole and got millions of dollars during his Presidency, he is claiming to be broke leading to the United Nations backed Special court for Sierra-Leone to foot his US$100,000 per month legal bill.The article asserts that the prosecutors in this landmark case, a first against a former African leader sufficient evidence to put Taylor away for a long time.


The article goes further to state that the importance of the Taylor trail, asking that the trail be conducted in an exemplary fashion. It asks that all evidence against Mr Taylor be treated professionally and the accused legal team allowed the opportunity to defend him properly.The trail of Mr Taylor will send a powerful signal to other Leaders and despots around the world, who have turned the countries and territories into their own personal piggy banks and perpetuated heinous crimes against their citizens.

A disappointing trail could lead to a failure of the International Justice system.

Original article was culled from Toronto star January 9, 2008