Special court judges to be sworn in

Eight trial and appeal judges are to be sworn in as members of Sierra Leone's Special Court in early December.

The judges, three appointed by the government and five by the United Nations Secretary-General, will elect a president on the same day and thereafter consider the rules of procedure and evidence of the court, a news release from court said on Tuesday.

The court, located in the capital, Freetown, is to try those believed to "bear the greatest responsibility" for atrocities committed in Sierra Leone during the country's civil war.

It will be different from the other international tribunals such as those for Rwanda and Yugoslavia because it is located in the country where the crimes took place, and because its jurisdiction goes beyond international crimes against humanity to include certain crimes committed under Sierra Leonean law, the release added.

The court was created under an agreement between the government and the United Nations but it is independent of both, the release said.

The UN Security Council in March authorised the establishment of the court to try individuals accused of serious violations of human rights during Sierra Leone's war, which began in 1991 and officially ended in January 2002. The abuses included deliberate amputation of limbs, rape and killings. They were committed mainly by Revolutionary United Front rebels.

In October, the court started building its premises and detention facility in Freetown. A permanent building to house the trial and appeals chambers would be completed by May 2003 at an estimated cost of US $3.2 million, the court said.