Special Court for Sierra Leone fr en

The Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) was established in 2002 by the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations. It was created to try those who are alleged to have committed serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law within the territory of Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996.

Thirteen individuals have been indicted by the Special Court. Proceedings have been completed in the case against former Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) leaders and in the Civil Defence Forces case. The case against three Revolutionary United Front (RUF) leaders continues at the seat of the SCSL in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The fourth trial is that of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Due to security concerns over holding the trial in Sierra Leone, Taylor’s trial is being conducted by the SCSL at the premises of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.