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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |
SIERRA LEONE: Sick rebel's wife pleads for medical aid
FREETOWN, 11 June 2003 (IRIN) - The wife of jailed rebel leader, Foday Sankoh, urged Sierra Leone's Special Court and the international community on Wednesday to allow her sick husband to receive medical treatment abroad as he awaits trial on charges of crimes against humanity.
"My husband is accused of committing crimes against humanity but now to allow him to just wither away and die, where is the humanity in that?", Fatou Sankoh told journalists at the offices of the UN-backed court in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. The tribunal was created to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed during Sierra Leone's 10-year war.
Sankoh, who is a 67-year-old former army corporal, has been suffering from heart problems for some time. He is currently imprisoned on Bonthe island off the south coast of Sierra Leone.
Sankoh said her husband should not be allowed to die because "if he dies and did not disclose what everyone is expecting of him it will be meaningless."
The court's Medical Officer, Donald Harding, corroborated her claims that Sankoh was seriously ill. Harding said the health of the one-time leader of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel group had deteriorated so badly so that he was no longer capable of "walking, talking or feeding himself."
Harding said Sierra Leone lacked the proper medical facilities to treat Sankoh. "Until we understand what is wrong with him, we can't treat him properly", Harding told the briefing by telephone from Bonthe. If Sankoh were deemed unfit, he would be unable to stand trial.
The bearded former rebel leader has often failed to show up for scheduled court appearances because of his failing health. At his initial hearing in March, Sankoh appeared in a wheelchair. When asked whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty to charges of crimes against humanity and violation of humanitarian law, he did not utter a word.
The Court had ordered a full physiological and psychiatric examinations to test Sankoh's capability to stand trial.
Court Registrar Robin Vincent said that in order for Sankoh to go abroad for treatment, the UN Security Council would have to lift a travel ban imposed on him. The other major obstacle would be finding a host country which "would have to ensure there were no legal impediments to accepting him."
He said the court had contacted several West African countries about allowing Sankoh in for treatment, but none had so far responded favorably.
At the height of the Sierra Leonean war, Sankoh's RUF was notorious of cutting off limbs of civilians, raping women and using child soldiers as it attempted to take over the country.
The movemement was backed by Liberian President Charles Taylor. Its military commander was the late Sam Bockarie, a former henchman of the Liberian leader who was killed by Taylor's security forces a month ago in circumstances which remain unclear. He had also been indicted by the Special Court, along with Taylor.
Theme(s): (IRIN) Governance
[ENDS]
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