Hi readers,
Well, in an unfortunate start to the day, technical hitches have delayed our post for the first day back of trial.
We are still working on it and hope to be able to post an update here soon.
Thanks, as always, for your patience. If you are anything like me, I can’t wait to hear what happened today on our first day back.
We’ll be back with more as soon as we can.
Until then…….
Ok Tracey,
As for me, I know he whiped their butts again. Charles Taylor is one of the smartest sons of our soil. Don’t care what they say about him, He’s the man !!!!!!.. Who care s how he was cuffed and taken into illegal incasuration. Even if he was carried like a chicken, he ‘s my president. The liberian people will always hail this man as their HEROE>>>>> Long live Charles Taylor, Long live the republic for which he stands…. BRAVO PAPAY!!!!!!
hahahaha…Hero. He was your president no doubt. But Hero to Liberians? Wasn’t this the same man who left Liberia with people on the street cheering and singing Charles taylor pack n go? Maybe your Hero.
Mad man anyway…hahaha…. Idon’t expect anythig better….hahaha..oh my God !!!!
Tracey Gurd,
I enjoyed reading the interview the Voice of America had with you concerning the trial. For those who have not read or heard it you can access it here.
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Independent-Monitors-Keep-Eyes-on-Charles-Taylor-Trial-81173272.html
Thank you so much, Aki. The one slight correction to the story I want to note is this: in the story is that it says our website was set up with the cooperation of the tribunal – I know regular readers of this site are aware, but just to correct the record, we are a completely independent site. We are grateful to the Special Court for answering our questions, undertaking interviews with us and generally being helpful, but we are not affiliated with the court in the set up or maintenance of the site.
But glad you enjoyed reading it Aki.
Best,
Tracey
Tracey,
Thank for the update. I hope Alpha’s summary is better then the other Medias report I have read. They repeat the same thing, which is nothing new. That the “Prosecutors accused former Liberian President Charles Taylor on Monday of lying at his war crimes trial. Taylor has repeatedly claimed he never met rebel leader Foday Sankoh before Sankoh unleashed a savage attack on Sierra Leone in 1991 that spawned a 12-year civil war.
This is old news I want to know what fresh evidences was presented to prove Mr. Taylor is lying about meeting Foday Sankoh and the “pair hatched a plot to attack Sierra Leone years earlier at a military training camp in Libya.”
Taylor has continue to feed us with lies and inconsistencies during his direct testimonies, and his defense team did noting to stop him from eating himself up, and might have just prejudice himself. can’t wait till this blood leting cannibal faces real justice, that was never provided to the innocent victims of the MRU under his ladership.
This site is setting a new standard for not just international justice but also journalism. International media houses have been nothing but paid political hacks in total disregard to the sufferings of poor people around the world.
Why are we not reading or hearing an amplification in support of Liberia’s TRC recommendations. The Liberians TRC has recommended both prosecution and political sanctions of political figures but these international media paid hacks have refused to report about it. Worst is the shameful and disgusting behavior of the socalled international human rights groups who are not putting the same pressure the applied to see Taylor in this court.
They were not afriad to arrest and prosecution Taylor dispite the brainwashing of international policy makers that Taylor was a dangerous person. So why have we not seen any war in Liberia since the arrest of Charles Taylor? Is it because Taylor was not the actual war monger?
King Gray — thanks, as always, for your kind words about the site.
You raise the TRC report: IF I am remembering correctly, I think the Liberian legislature is set to discuss the final TRC report and its recommendations this month, right? Do you happen to know when that is set to come before parliament? We will try to keep tabs on that process too, to the extent that it is connected with this trial.
Best,
Tracey
Tracey – you are right on this. Let me inform you that the Liberian legislature has nothing to do with the TRC reports, but to pass it on to Ma Ellen for implementation. The only power that the legislature has as it relates to the TRC reports is to ask Ma -Ellen why the report has not being implemented? I can assure you that we the common people will ensure that reports and recommendations of the TRC are implemented as the only tools for lasting peace in Liberia.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Hi Harris – thanks for letting me know. I assumed the Parliament may have more power than this when it came to the TRC report. In terms of civil society, what are people in Liberia doing around the TRC report — are there any campaigns to try to keep the recommendations – or at least some of them – alive and on the agenda in the press and elsewhere?
Best,
Tracey
Harris,
Was the TRC asked to make recommendations or just gather testimonies of those citizens that wanted to say something. I ask this because the TRC recommendation that some citizens be BAN from travelling which I found totally opposite of the Constitution Article 13
http://onliberia.org/con_1984_2.htm#ChIII
Article 13
a) Every person lawfully within the Republic shall have the right to move freely throughout Liberia, to reside in any part thereof and to leave therefrom subject however to the safeguarding of public security, public order, public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others.
b) Every Liberian citizen shall have the right to leave and to enter Liberia at any time. Liberian citizens and non Liberian residents may be extradited to a foreign country for prosecution of a criminal offense in accordance with the provisions of an extradition treaty or other reciprocal international agreements in force. Non Liberian residents may be expelled from the Republic of Liberia for cause.
How can such be implemented without DUE PROCESS?? Are they been CHARGED??
Dear King Gray,
As for the TRC coverage, the answer is very simple. It is because Ma-Ellen is hooked in the reports. Ma-Ellen is the WEST honey girl in Africa, who they think is above the law. But let me asure you that with or without Ellen, the TRC reports will be implemented today or in the near future anytime after January 2011. Above all eles, the people.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Like the many prosecution witnesses, Hollis only evidence is HEAR SAY. We are waiting to see video tapes, photos and some documents on Sankoh plot with former president Taylor to attack Sierra Leone. We are really frustrated with this so called trial.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Hello dear Harris — Just to let you know, we have a law professor writing a short piece for us on the use of hearsay in the Taylor trial — it will be coming in the next few weeks. Keep your eyes open for it.
Best,
Tracey
Thanks Tracey, we are waiting and anxious to learn.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Yes, I completely understand and agree, Harris. It was such an important day! I was just in fact looking for some press articles to help tide us over, but alas there were not really any coming out yesterady beyond the AP one that I posted the link to already. We will be trying to get the information up as soon as possible.
Best,
Tracey
Cousin4 and Harris,
Gentlemen; Funny funny things happenning arround here. How come Ellen form her own TRC thing and she aint wanna see them anymore. Da John palm oil waste on John RICE???? ha ha ha…
noko5-Ma Ellen is running away from her own shadow, but there is no where to hide.
Regards
Harris K Johnson
Tracey, according to the act that created the TRC, the Liberian Parliament has nothing to do with the final reports of the TRC, but to check the president on the full implementation. In Liberia there are three branches of government that have separate power. Legislature makes the laws, Judiciary enforces and the Executive implements. To put it short, the legislature created the law in 2003 that give birth to the TRC. The TRC finished its mandate and report to the executive for implementation. The judiciary stands ready to address all legal aspects of the implementation. So you see parliament has since finished its work. Some members of parliament are playing games because like the president, they are also hooked by the report. Liberians remain divided on the work of the TRC, but I can assure you that in the end good will prevail over evil. There are more good people in Liberia then bad people. The only way forward for lasting peace in Liberia is the full implementation of the TRC reports.
Regards
Harris
Hi Harris — thanks so much. It seems like the TRC recommendations are still live, and that the dynamics are still shifting at the political level. I’m sure we will keep an eye on it. If you or others in Liberia are interested and wouldn’t mind, it would be fantastic if you could let us know if there are any shifts or developments on the status of the recommendations – I’m sure it will be of great interest to readers here and will provoke a lot of discussion about broader accountability efforts in Liberia.
Thanks again, Harris,
Best,
Tracey
Noko4
Yes, the TRC was asked to make recommendations at the conclusion of its work. However, we all know that not all of the recommendations are inline with our laws. This kind of situation is not only limited to Liberia. It has also happened in other places. But what is important is that the courts are here to address such issue. If one feels that his or her right is being abused, he/she has the right to seek redress in the court of law. It will a sad if not dark a day for justice if the entire work of the TRC is killed in a political battle field like what is obtaining in Liberia. I think the many victims of the uncivilized war like my mum and sister need justice too.
Regards
Harris K Johnson