Comments on: Charles Taylor Dismisses United Nations Expert Report on Sierra Leone As “Disgraceful,” Says Report Is At The Heart Of The Case Against Him http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/ International Criminal Justice in the Making Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:42:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Liberianactivist07 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5597 Liberianactivist07 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:10:02 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5597 Jilay, To all those who say remain objective. I think I am using my experience on what happened and what I saw living next to Taylor;s house to make a judgement about his character and whether or not he is guilty of what happens in Sierra Leone. The prosecution have their witnesses from Sierra Leone to testify that Taylor infact was involved in the war in Sierra Leone, now if I was a prosecutor, which I will be by God's grace, I will use Taylor's reputation in Liberia to prove that he is indeed a wicked man and he is capable of killing and committing horrible atrocities. What am i say. DON'T tell me to be objective when I've seen with my eyes what Taylor has done!!! If I'm looking at this case from the outside and have no clue about Mr. Taylor's Character, than i can remain objective and let the court judge him. But as a 6, 7 year old girl I've seen Taylor's "hand-work", for lack of better words. I'm not a fan of Taylor as you can tell I'm not a supporter so there is not objectiveness in the whole matter of how i feel. The court needs to be objective and let the prosecutor and defense make their case, then, declare a ruling at the end of the trail. But a Liberian citizen like me, who went to school with his children, who saw his evil with my eyes. I don't remain objective. Go and asked the mother of those children soldiers in the mass graves on Bernard beach, Bassa Buchana beaches to be objective. I give my "highly emotional" opinions of Charles Taylor, "my brother" with out apologies. Nyonteh, My opinion has nothing to do with the criminal justice system being underminded. Everyone is indeed "Innocent" until proven guilty. Taylor proved himself guilty in my eyes when i saw the things he did, I SAW, not heard, the things he did. My opinion in now way shape or form reflects what the courts should or should not do. I believe in the justice system taking it's course and finding a man guilty or innocent. So please don't be mis-informed that my opinions mean that I do not trust the justice system or I'm not for the justice system. I'm just a young woman who speak her mind and have opinions based on my experiences living through Three civil wars. That is why it's my OPINION! Do I know for sure how Taylor brought weapons into Liberia, No not really but as i said i have my own opinion of the events of things in Liberia and Sierra Leone based on the reading and research I've done about Sierra Leone and Liberia, so whatever I say is based on that. Do I admit that i don't have all the facts or a lot of the facts for that matter, absolutely but I'm opinions about things stay the same. The entire truth of How Taylor and others received arms and their killing spree may come out in the future or it may not but I am convinced that my opinions of Taylor Character is 100% correct. MY EYES NEVER LIE. And what i saw in Gbanga with my eyes will always remain the TRUTH. Jilay,
To all those who say remain objective. I think I am using my experience on what happened and what I saw living next to Taylor;s house to make a judgement about his character and whether or not he is guilty of what happens in Sierra Leone. The prosecution have their witnesses from Sierra Leone to testify that Taylor infact was involved in the war in Sierra Leone, now if I was a prosecutor, which I will be by God’s grace, I will use Taylor’s reputation in Liberia to prove that he is indeed a wicked man and he is capable of killing and committing horrible atrocities.
What am i say. DON’T tell me to be objective when I’ve seen with my eyes what Taylor has done!!! If I’m looking at this case from the outside and have no clue about Mr. Taylor’s Character, than i can remain objective and let the court judge him. But as a 6, 7 year old girl I’ve seen Taylor’s “hand-work”, for lack of better words. I’m not a fan of Taylor as you can tell I’m not a supporter so there is not objectiveness in the whole matter of how i feel. The court needs to be objective and let the prosecutor and defense make their case, then, declare a ruling at the end of the trail. But a Liberian citizen like me, who went to school with his children, who saw his evil with my eyes. I don’t remain objective. Go and asked the mother of those children soldiers in the mass graves on Bernard beach, Bassa Buchana beaches to be objective.
I give my “highly emotional” opinions of Charles Taylor, “my brother” with out apologies.

Nyonteh,
My opinion has nothing to do with the criminal justice system being underminded. Everyone is indeed “Innocent” until proven guilty. Taylor proved himself guilty in my eyes when i saw the things he did, I SAW, not heard, the things he did. My opinion in now way shape or form reflects what the courts should or should not do. I believe in the justice system taking it’s course and finding a man guilty or innocent. So please don’t be mis-informed that my opinions mean that I do not trust the justice system or I’m not for the justice system. I’m just a young woman who speak her mind and have opinions based on my experiences living through Three civil wars. That is why it’s my OPINION!
Do I know for sure how Taylor brought weapons into Liberia, No not really but as i said i have my own opinion of the events of things in Liberia and Sierra Leone based on the reading and research I’ve done about Sierra Leone and Liberia, so whatever I say is based on that. Do I admit that i don’t have all the facts or a lot of the facts for that matter, absolutely but I’m opinions about things stay the same. The entire truth of How Taylor and others received arms and their killing spree may come out in the future or it may not but I am convinced that my opinions of Taylor Character is 100% correct. MY EYES NEVER LIE. And what i saw in Gbanga with my eyes will always remain the TRUTH.

]]> By: web http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5508 web Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:37:26 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5508 don't forget,ur asking how these big weapons came into liberia,there were also foreighners doing husiness here as well,not disputing that taylor might not hav been smugglin or doing his blood daimond,but gus kowenhoven was also charged for smugglin arm,plus there were other int'l companies in d country as well,taylor named them earlier in his trial,even if taylor should be persecuted,lets get the stories straight don’t forget,ur asking how these big weapons came into liberia,there were also foreighners doing husiness here as well,not disputing that taylor might not hav been smugglin or doing his blood daimond,but gus kowenhoven was also charged for smugglin arm,plus there were other int’l companies in d country as well,taylor named them earlier in his trial,even if taylor should be persecuted,lets get the stories straight

]]> By: web http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5506 web Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:30:48 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5506 bringing two confused parties to a negotiating table is not a major contribution to a peace process?oh my God i don't believe that,i think that alone eliminates all other conerns u have honestly bringing two confused parties to a negotiating table is not a major contribution to a peace process?oh my God i don’t believe that,i think that alone eliminates all other conerns u have honestly

]]> By: Al-Solo Nyonteh http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5503 Al-Solo Nyonteh Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:01:37 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5503 Liberianactivist07 I think every men should be accountable for his action and President Taylor is accused of doing some horrible crimes (and responsible for horrible crimes against his own people). But the law is not made to serve as a haven for revenge. It’s serve as a place for justice, which require a process. The law is not based on “what you think you know”. It’s what you can prove without a reasonable doubt. Yes, it’s bad when the law protects the guilty but it’s created to protect the innocent and every man is innocent until proven guilty. The moment we start letting anger and “past track records” overwhelm the basic structure of the criminal justice system. No one will be safe from being convicted on false accusations. We all want justice but not at the expense of “redefining” the criminal justice system. I’m not to convinced about Mr. Taylor receiving diamonds from Mr.Foday Sankoh. Mr. Taylor made a valid point in his letter to the Secretary-General (27 AUGUST 2009 Page 27846 & 27847) “It is reasonable to assume that if indeed I was or am involved in the sale of any diamonds, for that matter, the money trail would inevitably lead to me”. Additionally Mr. Taylor voluntarily waived all rights of non-disclosure to all banking institutions. The prosecution needs to establish a paper trail. Liberianactivist07

I think every men should be accountable for his action and President Taylor is accused of doing some horrible crimes (and responsible for horrible crimes against his own people). But the law is not made to serve as a haven for revenge. It’s serve as a place for justice, which require a process. The law is not based on “what you think you know”. It’s what you can prove without a reasonable doubt. Yes, it’s bad when the law protects the guilty but it’s created to protect the innocent and every man is innocent until proven guilty. The moment we start letting anger and “past track records” overwhelm the basic structure of the criminal justice system. No one will be safe from being convicted on false accusations. We all want justice but not at the expense of “redefining” the criminal justice system.
I’m not to convinced about Mr. Taylor receiving diamonds from Mr.Foday Sankoh. Mr. Taylor made a valid point in his letter to the Secretary-General (27 AUGUST 2009 Page 27846 & 27847) “It is reasonable to assume that if indeed I was or am involved in the sale of any diamonds, for that matter, the money trail would inevitably lead to me”. Additionally Mr. Taylor voluntarily waived all rights of non-disclosure to all banking institutions. The prosecution needs to establish a paper trail.

]]> By: andrew jlay http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5499 andrew jlay Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00:20 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5499 Liberianactivist07, It appears brother that you resent the war, those who fuel it and the appalling toll it places on the civillian population. Especially during the Liberian crises, guns enter the country through lot of means including those of Taylor. LURD, MODEL, ULIMO, LPC, LDC, you name it they had it. I do not believe the importation was limited to the NPFL, and correct me please. But I want to take the infiltration of arms into Liberia at a higher level. Documents have surfaced, and thanks to this trial, that the American and British Governments also infiltrated arms into Liberia to facilitate campaigns of some of the factions mentioned supra. Brother, my point is we should not be emotional about Taylor and his NPFL but objective so that we can get the root cause of our problems and attempt to address them. Liberianactivist07,

It appears brother that you resent the war, those who fuel it and the appalling toll it places on the civillian population. Especially during the Liberian crises, guns enter the country through lot of means including those of Taylor. LURD, MODEL, ULIMO, LPC, LDC, you name it they had it. I do not believe the importation was limited to the NPFL, and correct me please.

But I want to take the infiltration of arms into Liberia at a higher level. Documents have surfaced, and thanks to this trial, that the American and British Governments also infiltrated arms into Liberia to facilitate campaigns of some of the factions mentioned supra.

Brother, my point is we should not be emotional about Taylor and his NPFL but objective so that we can get the root cause of our problems and attempt to address them.

]]> By: Tracey Gurd http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5458 Tracey Gurd Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:47:08 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5458 Hi Liberianactivist07, Thanks for your kind words about the site. We are glad you find it useful. Any suggestions from readers on how to improve it are always welcome too. Best, Tracey Hi Liberianactivist07,

Thanks for your kind words about the site. We are glad you find it useful. Any suggestions from readers on how to improve it are always welcome too.

Best,
Tracey

]]> By: Liberianactivist07 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5455 Liberianactivist07 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:36:59 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5455 The only thing disgraceful is Charles Taylor denial of what he knows and I know he did. If Charles Taylor could be as brutal as he was in Liberia, use children soldiers and get them killed in his senseless "power-trip-rampage", then i don't doubt one bit that he was capable of doing what he is accused of doing in Sierra Leone. Liberia was in a civil war, hardly any money was coming into the economy, sanctions and embargo had been placed on Liberia yet some how guns kept on coming in Liberia. Guns, big ones small ones missile launchers, etc... where did they come from, how did it enter Liberia? I believe Charles Taylor used the blood diamonds that was afforded to him thanks to Mr. Foday Sankoh to supply NPFL with an abundance of weapons to kill innocent civilians and to kill each other. Charles Taylor is disgraceful for even uttering such a statement! P.S: thanks for this website. You really update it daily and I know that this is the only place i find a very accurate chronological order of events happening in the hague daily to thanks! The only thing disgraceful is Charles Taylor denial of what he knows and I know he did. If Charles Taylor could be as brutal as he was in Liberia, use children soldiers and get them killed in his senseless “power-trip-rampage”, then i don’t doubt one bit that he was capable of doing what he is accused of doing in Sierra Leone. Liberia was in a civil war, hardly any money was coming into the economy, sanctions and embargo had been placed on Liberia yet some how guns kept on coming in Liberia. Guns, big ones small ones missile launchers, etc… where did they come from, how did it enter Liberia? I believe Charles Taylor used the blood diamonds that was afforded to him thanks to Mr. Foday Sankoh to supply NPFL with an abundance of weapons to kill innocent civilians and to kill each other. Charles Taylor is disgraceful for even uttering such a statement!
P.S: thanks for this website. You really update it daily and I know that this is the only place i find a very accurate chronological order of events happening in the hague daily to thanks!

]]> By: Al-Solo Nyonteh http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5421 Al-Solo Nyonteh Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:49:57 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5421 Fought in Sierra Leone It don’t matter how big of a role Mr. Taylor played. The only thing that matter is Mr. Taylor established his links to the RUF as peaceful purposes. This adds doubt about the prosecution version of Mr. Taylor’s relationship to the RUF. Any additional information on how he did it, should be discussed in a history book. Fought in Sierra Leone

It don’t matter how big of a role Mr. Taylor played. The only thing that matter is Mr. Taylor established his links to the RUF as peaceful purposes. This adds doubt about the prosecution version of Mr. Taylor’s relationship to the RUF. Any additional information on how he did it, should be discussed in a history book.

]]> By: Fought in Sierra Leone http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5407 Fought in Sierra Leone Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:55:36 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5407 I'd like a bit more information on how Charles Taylor brought the RUF to the negotiating table. I don't believe that bringing a party to the negotiating table is the major contribution to the process that Taylor is making it out to be. There were plenty of other parties brokering a peace deal, and I personally didn't see much involvement by Taylor at this time. More explanation please. Lots of generalising here. I need more. I’d like a bit more information on how Charles Taylor brought the RUF to the negotiating table. I don’t believe that bringing a party to the negotiating table is the major contribution to the process that Taylor is making it out to be. There were plenty of other parties brokering a peace deal, and I personally didn’t see much involvement by Taylor at this time. More explanation please.
Lots of generalising here. I need more.

]]> By: Noko4 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/2009/08/29/charles-taylor-dismisses-united-nations-expert-report-on-sierra-leone-as-disgraceful-says-report-is-at-the-heart-of-the-case-against-him/#comment-5398 Noko4 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:06:00 +0000 http://www.charlestaylortrial.org/?p=4338#comment-5398 Meet the UN PANEL that wrote the ONE SIDED REPORT in my view http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/sierraleone/peleman.html Meet the UN PANEL that wrote the ONE SIDED REPORT in my view

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/sierraleone/peleman.html

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