Obama Statement on Bringing Charles Taylor to Justice
Monday, June 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben LaBolt
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement on the actions of former Liberian President Charles Taylor before the Special Court of Sierra Leone:
“Charles Taylor is one of the worst war criminals of the last century. He must answer for the 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and he can't be allowed to pull another stunt like he did today when he walked out of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.”
“Bringing Mr. Taylor to justice is a critical step towards promoting the rule of law and helping advance security and stability in Africa. His trial also sends an important signal to perpetrators of atrocities that they will be held accountable for their actions.”
“Mr. Taylor is in the Court's custody thanks in part to a long, bipartisan struggle that involved pressuring the government of Nigerian to turnover Mr. Taylor to the Court; securing much needed funding for the Court; and pushing the Bush Administration to do the right thing on this issue. Taylor's prosecution marks a defeat for impunity and a victory for the people of West Africa who suffered at the hands of his brutal regime.”