Brussels, 27/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The judgment against Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, found guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Sierra Leone, was hailed by the EU as a historic decision in the annals of international justice.
Speaking on Thursday on behalf of the EU, Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: “The judgment delivered today by the Special Court for Sierra Leone in the case of former Liberian President Charles Taylor constitutes a major achievement for this Court and represents a landmark decision in the fight against impunity. The impact of the judgment reaches far beyond Sierra Leone, as it is the first time that a former head of state has been convicted of serious crimes of international concern. This verdict demonstrates that perpetrators - whoever they are - cannot act with impunity. The EU is firmly committed to international justice and the fight against impunity.” The sentence will be delivered on 30 May and carried out by Charles Taylor in the United Kingdom. (AN/transl.jl)