The eve before his (I mean Charles Taylor, the first African president to be tried by ICC) verdict I was antsy. Not so much of fear but of the implications that would come off the verdict. One, for Liberia/Liberians; two, for Sierra Leoneans; and three, the international community. While, en route on board Air Alaska I heard the "guilty" verdict handed down. I kept thinking "not guilty" based on pile of circumstantial evidences. For the fact that he was tried for crimes in Sierra Leone and not Liberia is, in itself, conjectural. Wait a minute, some clarification is in order at this juncture.
I am a strong advocate of human rights especially the rights of children in war. I do not, will not and probably will never condone any such crimes against humanity. But before I allow my emotions to get the better part of me, let me use some objective critique to drive home my perception. So, if you sense any ounce of judgement toward/against Charles Taylor here, it is only because I'm trying to use my legal instincts to parse the due process of international law as a tool for producing justice for all and not some.
To be continue (being in transit doesn't allow for full access to the computer). California weather is just too gorgeous...I apologize for the "break in transmission". There is a level of uncertainty that comes with being a globetrotter. You must learn to go with the flow especially when destiny finds you in places where you can flick the switch of lights without stopping to think of its source. Anyhoo...let's finish this!
One of the main objectives of the penal system is to deter people from committing crimes. Another, unwritten yet acceptable norm when abiding by law and order in society, is the fact that "ignorance of the law does not excuse one from bearing the full force of it". In light of these principles, indisputably, it can be implied that if several individuals were allegedly involved in a criminal activity, despite their role in aiding and abetting; the level of complicity or ignorance; - justice and fairness MUST prevail for/to all.
In connecting the dots between Charles Taylor's conviction and the fundamental principles of the rule of law, equity, justice and fairness (even though I personally believe that the charges laid against Mr. Taylor were mostly circumstantial and unsupported) - it appears to me that the International Court of Justice has not only miscarried justice but have also rendered partial judgement by failing to investigate all involve. I guess, I should not be too fast to conclude knowing that individuals who were not part of the Third Reich yet collaborated with Nazi Germany to commit crimes against humanity sluggishly threaded the path of justice even 50 years after the event.
With such hope, I look forward to the removal of inherent immunity to those Liberians who have been implicated in world crimes in Liberia and Sierra Leone. If one is convicted then all should be convicted and/or subject to fair trial procedure. By ALL, I mean those listed in the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Report. Thus, I aspire to the breaking of the dawn when Liberia War Crime Tribunal commences! Then, we shall have begun to halt the demon of perpetual violence on the continent thereby eradicating mockery of good governance.
