Sierra Leone

The Special Court of Sierra Leone was established jointly by the Government of Sierra Leone and the UN in 2002, following the UN brokered Lome Peace Accord of 1999 at the end of the 10 year civil war. It is based in Freetown, Sierra Leone and has the mandate to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law committed within Sierra Leone since November 1996. Unlike other international tribunals, the Court is a hybrid court that can apply both international criminal law and national law, and while completely independent, is jointly administered by the UN and the Sierra Leone Government. 

For more information see http://www.sc-sl.org


Cambodia (Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia) or Khmer Rouge Tribunal

The Khmer Rouge Tribunal will be based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia through an agreement between the UN and the Cambodian Government. Its mandate will be to try Khmer Rouge (KR) leaders for atrocities committed between 1975 and 1979. Like the Special Court for Sierra Leone, this tribunal exists as a hybrid tribunal and forms part of the Cambodian judicial system. The Court is now in the final stages of preparation, with trials expected to start in mid-2007.


Iraqi Higher Tribunal (IHT)

The IHT is based in Baghdad, Iraq and was established under Iraqi law to try Iraqi nationals and residents accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes against Iraqi domestic law committed between 1968 to 2003.  Significantly, the tribunal extends its jurisdiction beyond crimes committed during armed conflict.

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