Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Office of the Prosecutor

PRESS RELEASE
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 6 October 2003

Prosecutor Meets with War Wounded at Grafton Camp

On Thursday October 2, David M. Crane, the Prosecutor, Special Court for Sierra Leone, went to Grafton Camp outside of Freetown to talk with over 300 war wounded. In a further demonstration that the people of Sierra Leone are leading West Africa toward respect for the rule of law, the Grafton residents engaged the Prosecutor in a detailed discussion of the Special Court's mandate and its meaning for the country.

Residents expressed their strong view that Charles Taylor must face justice for the crimes he committed against the people of Sierra Leone. The Prosecutor expects Mr. Taylor to eventually face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in a fair trial at the Special Court, and emphasized that nothing could make the indictment go away.

The residents of Grafton made clear to Mr. Crane that their suffering from the war continues. The Prosecutor listened to these concerns. Mr. Crane stressed that the Special Court can remove war criminals from society and help the rule of law take root in Sierra Leone. As victims of the war, the residents of Grafton understand that justice is an essential element for a lasting peace.

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