Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Office of the Prosecutor

PRESS RELEASE
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 4 April 2004

Prosecutor Speaks with Young African Peacebuilders

Young people from all over Africa sang songs of reconciliation, asked questions, and shared their opinions with Special Court Prosecutor David Crane during an hour-long event on Wednesday at Freetown's Stadium Hostel.

The "Youth Transforming Conflict" conference, organised by the United Network of Young Peacebuilders, brought together some 40 delegates from 17 African countries, many of those within West Africa. Mr Crane welcomed the opportunity to meet with the young leaders to speak about "Peace, Justice and Reconciliation: What Lessons We Can Learn from Sierra Leone."

"As the youth of Africa, you are the future of Africa, and in trying to prevent future wars you have my full support," Mr Crane said.

The Prosecutor told the conference about the Special Court's jurisdiction, the determination of who bears the greatest responsibility for international crimes committed during the conflict, and how the establishment of the rule of law can promote reconciliation.

Mr Crane praised the people of Sierra Leone for turning to the law to establish accountability for past crimes and avert future conflict.

"Sierra Leone is becoming known around the world as the country that asked for a war crimes tribunal," Mr Crane said. "The Special Court is about the people of Sierra Leone who want justice to create a lasting peace."

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