Monrovia – The Liberia National Heritage and Culture Development Association (LNHCDA) has launched a nationwide petition calling for the release of former President Charles G. Taylor, claiming his prosecution by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) was unjust.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Taylor, who served as Liberia’s president from 1997 to 2003, was convicted in 2012 for aiding and abetting war crimes during Sierra Leone’s civil war. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison, becoming the first African head of state to be convicted by an international tribunal.
The LNHCDA, however, argues that Taylor was unfairly targeted, while other key figures involved in the conflict were not held accountable.
Claims of Unfair Prosecution
The LNHCDA contends that Taylor was not the primary perpetrator of the crimes in Sierra Leone but was accused of supporting the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels led by Foday Sankoh.
The association argues that other regional leaders engaged in similar actions without facing prosecution, casting doubt on the fairness of international justice.
“The principles of international justice demand fairness and consistency. Taylor was singled out, while others who committed similar acts were not held accountable,” the LNHCDA stated in its petition.
The organization also criticized Taylor’s 50-year sentence, calling it excessive, and described the case as a “blatant abuse of authority” by the international judicial system.
Petition for Taylor’s Release
Led by its Founder and Executive Director, Solomon Weawea, the LNHCDA is aiming to collect more than two million signatures from Liberians in support of Taylor’s release. Once the target is met, the petition will be submitted to Taylor’s legal team for presentation to international prosecutors, requesting a re-evaluation of his case.
“We are calling on all Liberians to support this process as we fight for fair prosecution and justice,” Solomon Weawea said.
The online petition was officially launched on March 13, allowing supporters to sign digitally. The LNHCDA plans to use the collected signatures to strengthen its legal and diplomatic efforts for Taylor’s release.
Taylor’s Role in the Civil Crises
Before his presidency, Charles Taylor played a significant role in Liberia’s first civil war (1989–1996), leading the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) against the government of Samuel Doe. His presidency ended when he was forced into exile during Liberia’s second civil war.
Taylor was accused of fueling Sierra Leone’s civil war by supplying arms to the RUF in exchange for blood diamonds. While Taylor denied direct involvement, the SCSL convicted him of aiding and abetting war crimes, including mass killings and the use of child soldiers.
Though his conviction was hailed by international bodies, Taylor’s supporters continue to claim that his trial was politically motivated and unjust.
