Ex-former Defence Minister of Sierra Leone Sam Hinga Norman has died, aged 67. For several months he had been receiving medical help, it is thought that he died from heart failure after an operation.
Verdict for his case was pending. He was indicted for several crimes against humanity including murder. During the 10 year civil war he had led a pro-government militia against the RUF (hence being considered a hero among some of the population of Sierra Leone).
Mr Hinga Norman had visited a hospital in Senegal for what seemed a routine medical check up but died after an operation. He was pronounced dead little more than 20 minutes after collapsing in hospital (around 1115am).
The court was set up to prosecute all those involved in the crimes committed during the civil war which created millions of displaced peoples in the region.
3 comments:
Does anyone know if they intend to finnish the trial/release the verdict? It seems almost irrelevant that the "war criminal" is dead; nothing (including his execution) could hope to comprise "fair punishment" if he is indeed guilty. Rather, the trial is more about justice in an abstract sense. Or do you think any trial/sentencing would be pointless at this point?
I think taking any sort of action is much better than leaving it alone now that he has died. I would imagine that it would allow many families to be finally be able to rest, knowing that some sort of justice had been paid. The mere fact that a man caused so many unlawful deaths seems morally wrong to ignore and not take any action.
Though I agree to the fact that a trial should still be held for both the families and the "righting" of the past wrongs, I am scared it will be like so many other trials in the past, FORGOTTEN!! I am also worried that most of these war criminals are going to follow the path of so many others and due to their age and pride will claim sickness and hence slow down the Court's proceedings. It is true, the death of one criminal is nothing in itself, it is the implications it could have.
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