Washington D.C. Office
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2854
(202) 228-4260 fax
(202 228-1404 TDD
Email our office

Chicago Office
John C. Kluczynski Federal Office Building
230 South Dearborn St.
Suite 3900 (39th floor)
Chicago, Illinois 60604
(312) 886-3506
(312) 886-3514 fax
Toll free: (866) 445-2520
(for IL residents only)

Springfield Office
607 East Adams Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701
(217) 492-5089
(217) 492-5099 fax

Marion Office
701 North Court Street
Marion, Illinois 62959
(618) 997-2402
(618) 997-2850 fax

Moline Office
1911 52nd Avenue
Moline, Illinois 61265
(309)736-1217
(309)736-1233 fax

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.”