Special Court for Sierra Leone, summary of war crimes charges against ex-Liberian President Charles Taylor at his first appearance before the SCSL in Freetown, April 3, 2006.

Text:

Charles Ghankay Taylor, the former President of Liberia, was indicted on 7 March 2003 on a 17-count indictment for crimes against humanity, violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II (commonly known as war crimes), and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. The indictment was ordered kept under seal. The Prosecutor unsealed the indictment on 4 June 2003, during Taylor's first trip out of Liberia since the signing of the indictment.

On 16 March 2006 a Judge of the Special Court approved an amended indictment reducing the number of counts to 11.

The Charges

Charles Taylor faces an 11-count indictment for crimes against humanity, violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.

*1 = Crimes Against Humanity
*2 = Violation of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II (war crimes)
*3 = Other serious violation of international humanitarian law

Terrorizing the civilian population and collective punishments

1. Acts of terrorism. *2

Unlawful killings

2. Murder *1
3. Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder *2

Sexual violence

4. Rape *1
5. Sexual slavery and any other form of sexual violence *1
6. Outrages upon personal dignity *2

Physical violence

7. Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular cruel treatment *2
8. Other inhumane acts *1

Use of child soldiers

9. Conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed forces or groups, or using them to participate actively in hostilities *3

Abductions and forced labour

10. Enslavement *1

Looting

11. Pillage *2

Read the full text of the original SCSL summary.