The Defence Office of the Special Court for Sierra Leone was informed yesterday that Chief Samuel Hinga Norman, a CDF indictee at the Special Court for Sierra Leone passed away at 11:15 am in Dakar, Senegal where he was recuperating from surgery. Chief Norman, former Deputy Defence Minister and later Minister of Internal Affairs, was indicted on 7 March 2003 on an 8-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. Chief Norman had been experiencing health problems that were not life-threatening but needed treatment. As result, he was taken to the L’Hopital Aristide Le Dantec (a military hospital) in Dakar, Senegal on 17 January where he successfully underwent a medical procedure. Chief Norman had been in good spirits after the surgery until 22 February when he collapsed at about 10:55 am. Efforts to resuscitate him failed and he passed away at about 11.15 am. Chief Norman was a great friend of the Defence Office in its duties to facilitate and ensure the rights of accused persons before the Special Court. His death therefore is a tragedy not only to the bereaved family but also to the Special Court and in some particular way to the Defence Office. We express our sympathy to the bereaved family and friends with whom we share this loss. The Defence Office is closely working with the Registry in all the arrangements to deal with this tragedy. #END The Special Court is an independent tribunal established jointly by the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone. It is mandated to bring to justice those who bear the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996. To date, the Prosecutor has indicted eleven persons on various charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. Ten indictees are currently in the custody of the Court.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Alan Doss Visits Indian UNMIL Female Police Headquarters In LIberia
Monrovia, Liberia - The UN envoy in Liberia, Mr. Alan Doss has welcomed the arrival of the Indian Formed Police Unit - FPU – to Liberia. Mr. Doss was addressing officers of the unit during a visit to their headquarters in Congo Town, near Monrovia. The unit, made up 105 female officers with 20 male supporting staff, is the first largely female FPU to be deployed to a United Nations peacekeeping operation.
Mr. Doss being conducted round by the India FPU Contingent Commander Dhundia
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative said FPUs have a very important role to play in Liberia. “We have to be ready for incidents of public disorder, which is not surprising in a country emerging for a long and violent civil war”, he acknowledged. He added that UNMIL aims to manage public order without resorting each time to a military response. “I am quite confident that with your help we can maintain a peaceful, stable and violence-free environment in Liberia.”
He told the Indian police officers that a female police unit is an extra bonus for the mission. “We know from police experience around the world that women officers are good at handling potentially violent situations.”
Mr. Doss said that UNMIL wants to help Liberia build its own FPU type capacity within the Liberia National Police so that the Government can deal effectively deal with problems of public order without unnecessary violence or bringing the military on to the streets.
Earlier, the Indian FPU Contingent Commander Seema Dhundia gave an audio-visual presentation highlighting the structure, composition and responsibilities of the Central Reserve Police Force - CRPF - to which the FPU belongs. The CRPF is often called upon to deal with public order problems and emergencies all over India.
Mr. Doss greets one of the Indian peacekeepers.
Commander Dhundia took Mr. Doss on a guided tour of various sections of the India FPU headquarters, which included an inspection of the Unit’s riot control equipment and vehicles. She later presented him with a replica of the 2,000 years old Ashoka Stambha (Pillar), a national emblem of India.
Mr. Doss being conducted round by the India FPU Contingent Commander Dhundia
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative said FPUs have a very important role to play in Liberia. “We have to be ready for incidents of public disorder, which is not surprising in a country emerging for a long and violent civil war”, he acknowledged. He added that UNMIL aims to manage public order without resorting each time to a military response. “I am quite confident that with your help we can maintain a peaceful, stable and violence-free environment in Liberia.”
He told the Indian police officers that a female police unit is an extra bonus for the mission. “We know from police experience around the world that women officers are good at handling potentially violent situations.”
Mr. Doss said that UNMIL wants to help Liberia build its own FPU type capacity within the Liberia National Police so that the Government can deal effectively deal with problems of public order without unnecessary violence or bringing the military on to the streets.
Earlier, the Indian FPU Contingent Commander Seema Dhundia gave an audio-visual presentation highlighting the structure, composition and responsibilities of the Central Reserve Police Force - CRPF - to which the FPU belongs. The CRPF is often called upon to deal with public order problems and emergencies all over India.
Mr. Doss greets one of the Indian peacekeepers.
Commander Dhundia took Mr. Doss on a guided tour of various sections of the India FPU headquarters, which included an inspection of the Unit’s riot control equipment and vehicles. She later presented him with a replica of the 2,000 years old Ashoka Stambha (Pillar), a national emblem of India.
In a related develoment, the UN envoy in Liberia, Mr. Alan Doss, has commended Liberia for the tremendous progress the country has witnessed since the start of the UN peace mission in the country in 2003, but cautioned against complacency. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Liberia was speaking at a ceremony at the Roberts International Airport, about 45 kilometres outside Monrovia, during which 301 officers of the Ukrainian Aviation Unit were honoured with UN medals for their contribution to the UN peace mission in Liberia.
“Through the efforts of the democratically-elected government and the international community, Liberia is now on the path to recovery after years of conflict and violence”, he observed, but warned that “outbursts of violent public disorder and troubles in neighbouring countries must not be allowed to undermine the consolidation of the peace in Liberia”. Mr. Doss stressed that UNMIL will remain vigilant to ensure that security conditions enable the government to move ahead with its programme of national reform and renewal.
The UN Envoy commended the Ukrainian Aviation Unit in UNMIL for their dedication and professionalism. “The helicopter gunships that this unit manages, provide a critical and unique armed capability for the peacekeepers of this mission” adding that “our blue helmets know they can rely on this overhead support for border patrols and in times of crisis”. Mr. Doss noted that the Ukrainian Aviation Unit also provided transport and cargo airlifts and undertaken medical evacuation missions across Liberia.
The UN envoy urged the peacekeepers to abide strictly by the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance of sexual abuse and exploitation, calling on commanders and officers to lead by example to get the message across to all their troops.
Mr. Doss inspects Ukrainian officers on parade
The occasion was held on Ukraine’s “Defender of the Motherland Day”, a day on which Ukrainian military and war veterans are remembered and honoured. Among the dignitaries present at the medal-awarding ceremony were UNMIL Deputy Force Commander Major-General Mohammed Tahir and Ukrainian Contingent Commander Colonel Shluharchuk Taras.
“Through the efforts of the democratically-elected government and the international community, Liberia is now on the path to recovery after years of conflict and violence”, he observed, but warned that “outbursts of violent public disorder and troubles in neighbouring countries must not be allowed to undermine the consolidation of the peace in Liberia”. Mr. Doss stressed that UNMIL will remain vigilant to ensure that security conditions enable the government to move ahead with its programme of national reform and renewal.
The UN Envoy commended the Ukrainian Aviation Unit in UNMIL for their dedication and professionalism. “The helicopter gunships that this unit manages, provide a critical and unique armed capability for the peacekeepers of this mission” adding that “our blue helmets know they can rely on this overhead support for border patrols and in times of crisis”. Mr. Doss noted that the Ukrainian Aviation Unit also provided transport and cargo airlifts and undertaken medical evacuation missions across Liberia.
The UN envoy urged the peacekeepers to abide strictly by the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance of sexual abuse and exploitation, calling on commanders and officers to lead by example to get the message across to all their troops.
Mr. Doss inspects Ukrainian officers on parade
The occasion was held on Ukraine’s “Defender of the Motherland Day”, a day on which Ukrainian military and war veterans are remembered and honoured. Among the dignitaries present at the medal-awarding ceremony were UNMIL Deputy Force Commander Major-General Mohammed Tahir and Ukrainian Contingent Commander Colonel Shluharchuk Taras.
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