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Berlin pledges US $1m to war crimes court

    ABIDJAN

    Germany has pledged US $1 million toward the establishment of a war crimes tribunal in Sierra Leone, the German Mission to the UN reported on Wednesday.

    Germany informed the UN Legal Counsel of its readiness to release half of the money this year, adding that the contribution would enable the UN Secretariat “to conclude the agreement for the establishment of the Special Court for Sierra Leone”.

    The UN Security Council decided in August 2000 to set up the court and called on the international community to contribute technical aid and money. The tribunal will judge people accused of bearing the greatest responsibility for crimes against humanity and other serious violations on international humanitarian law in Sierra Leone.

    Amnesty International expressed concern in April that any delay in setting up the court would send an “ambiguous message” about international commitment to end impunity.

    “Germany recognises that such a court would help to end impunity, contribute to the process of national conciliation and to the restoration and maintenance of peace in Sierra Leone,” the German Permanent Mission to the UN said.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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