RSS Feed     Twitter     Facebook
Blog > Archive by tag 'Sierra Leone'

Posts Tagged ‘Sierra Leone’

International justice: In the dock, but for what?

November 25th, 2010 | No Comments

Enthusiasm is flagging for spectacular trials to punish war crimes and human-rights abuses

IF BEING busy is the test, then international justice is in rude health. This week saw a landmark in the short, sputtering history of the International Criminal Court (ICC), an institution based in The Hague that is supposed to be the ultimate resort against infamies which might otherwise go unpunished. On November 22nd, after many procedural twists, the trial began in earnest of Jean-Pierre Bemba, a rich Congolese warlord and the most senior political leader to be detained by the ICC so far. He is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity—not in Congo, but in the neighbouring Central African Republic, where he intervened on the president’s side during a coup attempt. The ICC is also about to name six prominent Kenyans as alleged instigators of the violence that followed the 2007 elections.

Elsewhere in the Dutch city, the tribunal on ex-Yugoslavia will soon have further questions for Radovan Karadzic, political leader of the Bosnian Serbs, about the massacre near Srebrenica in 1995 (see table). Two other special-purpose courts in The Hague will also be busy. One deals with Sierra Leone and is trying Liberia’s former president, Charles Taylor. Another is struggling, despite opposition from the armed Shia opposition in Lebanon, to investigate the bomb attack that killed Rafik Hariri, then prime minister, in Beirut in 2005. Most important of all, the United Nations Security Council must decide what to do about Sudan, where president Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the ICC. …

Read More »

The True Meaning of the Ground Zero Mosque Controversy

August 18th, 2010 | No Comments

The Founding Fathers believed in freedom of religion, and tolerance of all religions. The Constitution enshrines freedom of religion.As such, anyone who tries to ban Islam as evil is anti-American.As Greg Palast argues, if we ban mosques because some M…

Read More »

Naomi Campbell was flirting with Charles Taylor, reveals former agent

August 10th, 2010 | No Comments

Naomi Campbell’s former agent has claimed that the model and Charles Taylor were “mildly flirting” on the evening before the Liberian leader was alleged to have given the supermodel “blood diamonds”. Carole White said Taylor, promised during the dinner at Nelson Mandela”s residence in 1997 that he would present the gift to Naomi Campbell, who [...]

Read More »

Mia Farrow Contradicts Naomi Campbell’s Testimony In War Crimes Trial

August 9th, 2010 | No Comments

On Monday, actress/humanitarian Mia Farrow took the witness stand contradicting model Naomi Campbell’s testimony in the war crimes trial of former Liberian ruler Charles Taylor.Naomi’s former agent — Carole White — also testified that the supermodel told her she was going to be given diamonds by the former Liberian president Charles Taylor. Farrow has told Taylor’s [...]

Read More »

Mia Farrow disputes Naomi Campbell”s ”blood diamond’ story

August 9th, 2010 | No Comments

American actress Mia Farrow has disputed British supermodel Naomi Campbell’s claim under oath that she did not know the origin of the gems. The actress appeared at the trial of Charles Taylor, who is facing charges by the UN for war crimes for his role in supporting brutal rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone”s civil war [...]

Read More »

Campbell wants to get on with her life after ‘blood diamond’ testimony

August 6th, 2010 | No Comments

Naomi Campbell wants to get war crimes tribunal ‘to get over with’ and get on with her life. Speaking at the the trial to determine whether Liberian strongman Charles Taylor funded a civil war in Sierra Leone with ‘blood diamonds’, the supermodel said that she has had enough of courtrooms and testimonies. “I just want [...]

Read More »

Naomi Campbell says she gave ”blood diamonds” to Mandela charity

August 6th, 2010 | No Comments

British supermodel Naomi Campbell, while testifying at the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, said that that she gave alleged ‘blood diamonds’ to the head of Nelson Mandela”s children”s charity. The catwalk queen was quizzed about claims made by actress Mia Farrow that Taylor gave the model an uncut diamond following a [...]

Read More »

Naomi Campbell Gives Blood Diamond Testimony In Charles Taylor War Crimes Trial

August 5th, 2010 | No Comments

On Thursday, supermodel Naomi Campbell testified in a Hague Court in Sierra Leone that after a charity dinner at the South Africa home of former President Nelson Mandela 13 years ago, she was mysteriously given diamonds, used to fund war crimes in Sierra Leone, by two men working for former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor. Naomi [...]

Read More »

A model’s best friend

August 5th, 2010 | No Comments

Who produces most diamonds?

AMID much media interest, Naomi Campbell, a model, gave evidence on Thursday August 5th at the special court for Sierra Leone in The Hague. Charles Taylor, the former dictator of Liberia, who is on trial for war crimes in neighbouring Sierra Leone, is accused of giving Ms Campbell a “blood diamond” in 1997. Ms Campbell admitted receiving a gift of “dirty looking stones”. Since 2000, the governments of over 75 countries have signed up to the Kimberley Process, which certifies that diamonds produced for foreign markets have not helped to fund violence. The Process has its critics, who point out that diamonds from the huge Marange mine in Zimbabwe have just been cleared for sale, despite much evidence of government-sponsored violence there.

More Daily charts. …

Read More »

Naomi Campbell admits in court she was given blood diamonds

August 5th, 2010 | No Comments

British supermodel Naomi Campbell, while testifying at the war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, said that she received ‘dirty rocks.’ The catwalk queen was quizzed about claims made by actress Mia Farrow that Taylor gave the model an uncut diamond following a dinner party hosted by Nelson Mandela in South Africa in [...]

Read More »

Life is good Festival Ben Harper, Dr. Dog, Ziggy Marley

August 5th, 2010 | No Comments

DO IT FOR THE KIDS!!!

The 2010 Life is good Festival at Blue Hills is set to take place September 11-12 at Prowse Farm in Canton, MA, a suburb of Boston. The multi-faceted event combines world-class headliners, popular developing bands and the top children’s artists working today. With a wide range of entertainment options including games, interactive art activities and a nationally-known circus company, this one-of-a-kind festival aims to raise $1 million for kids facing life-threatening challenges through the Life is good Kids Foundation.

Ben Harper & Relentless 7

Confirmed Lineup
Jason Mraz
Ben Harper & Relentless7
Guster
Ziggy Marley
Corinne Bailey Rae
Galactic
Ozomatli
Dr. Dog
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
OK Go
Brett Dennen
Mavis Staples
Donavon Frankenreiter
Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Toubab Krewe

Good Kids Stage
The Laurie Berkner Band
Dan Zanes and Friends
They Might Be Giants
Big Apple Circus
The Sippy Cups

The two-day, multi-stage music festival hosted by Life is good, a Boston-based company that spreads good vibes through its colorful collection of apparel and accessories, will take place at historic and picturesque Prowse Farm at the foot of the Blue Hills, just minutes from Boston. To ensure an exceptional festival experience, Life is good has partnered with Superfly Presents, nationally recognized producers of the iconic Bonnaroo and Outside Lands festivals.

Tickets for the 2010 Life is good Festival at Blue Hills went on-sale on June 17. Adult single-day tickets are $50, and $90 two-day tickets are also available. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are available for $10 in a limited supply, and children 5 and under are free.

“The 2010 Life is good Festival at Blue Hills is a one-of-a kind event. No other festival in the country can offer the talent and entertainment experience that families and music fans alike will find at the 2010 Life is good Festival – all while helping to raise funds for kids facing life-threatening challenges,” said Bert Jacobs, Chief Executive Optimist for Life is good. “We have some of the very best performers coming together and we are going to have a great time while we raise more than $1 million dollars for the Life is good Kids Foundation.”

While most festivals have their fair share of VIPs who enjoy special privileges, Life is good will only offer these experiences to VGPs — Very Good People. Every festival attendee will have the opportunity to access exclusive hospitality, preferred viewing, artist meet and greets and other prizes by achieving fundraising goals or making a donation to help kids in need. The top fundraisers, known as VGPs, will have a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience, enjoying special perks and privileges throughout the event.

Through its nationally-known festivals, Life is good has raised over $3 million for children in need since 2003. All public donations, including individual fundraising prior to the event, will be directed to the foundation. The Life is good Kids Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit committed to helping children overcome life-threatening challenges such as violence, illness, natural disaster and extreme poverty. Its Playmakers initiative provides training, resources and support to the adults dedicated to caring for these children so that all involved lead healthier, more joyful lives.


Read More »

Charles Taylor”s lawyers request Naomi Campbell testimony postponement

August 3rd, 2010 | No Comments

Lawyers of former Liberian President Charles Taylor have filed a court motion requesting to postpone British supermodel Naomi Campbell’s testimony for the war crimes trial. Campbell will bear evidence in a hearing at The Hague in the Netherlands on August 5 to answer allegations that she accepted a blood diamond from Taylor as a gift [...]

Read More »

Naomi Campbell requests for privacy during blood diamond testimony

August 2nd, 2010 | No Comments

British supermodel Naomi Campbell has requested for strict measures to maintain privacy at The Hague, in the Netherlands, where she will testify at a war crimes trial over allegations that she had accepted a ‘blood diamond’. Campbell has retained Lord Macdonald, the former UK director of public prosecutions, to seek special protective measures normally granted [...]

Read More »

Mia Farrow to testify on Naomi Campbell ‘blood diamond’

July 30th, 2010 | No Comments

Actress Mia Farrow and model agent Carole White are set to testify next month over claims that supermodel Naomi Campbell accepted a ‘blood diamond’ from Charles Taylor. The women’s names are on a witness list for Monday, August 9, that the prosecution in the former Liberian president”s war crimes trial filed with the court in [...]

Read More »

Naomi Campbell could land in jail if she doesn’t testify in Taylor trial

July 2nd, 2010 | No Comments

British supermodel Naomi Campbell could be jailed for up to 7 years if she refuses to give evidence in an ongoing trial of ex-President of Liberia, Charles Taylor. An international court subpoenaed Campbell to testify in the war crimes trial of Taylor, warning her that she could be jailed for up to seven years if [...]

Read More »

Naomi Campbell ‘to be summoned in Charles Taylor”s war crimes trial’

July 1st, 2010 | No Comments

British model Naomi Campbell is to be summoned for giving evidence in Charles Taylor”s war crimes trial, it has emerged. The 40-year-old model will be called after the court said reports she received a ”blood diamond” from Charles Taylor, the ex-President of Liberia, could be crucial evidence. Prosecutors said that Campbell’s testimony might directly disprove [...]

Read More »

Life is Good Festival: Ben Harper, Guster, Galactic, More

June 8th, 2010 | No Comments

MAVIS STAPLES, ZIGGY MARLEY, OZOMATLI, SIERRA LEONE’S REFUGEE ALL-STARS,
TROMBONE SHORTY
& MORE ROUND OUT FESTIVAL LINEUP


Ben Harper and the Relentless 7

The official line-up for the 2010 Life is Good festival has been announced. Confirmed
artists include Ben Harper and the
Relentless 7,
Guster,
Galactic, Jason Mraz, Grace Potter and the
Nocturnals,
Dr. Dog,
Trombone Shorty & Orleans
Avenue, Sierra Leone’s
Refugee All Stars, Ziggy
Marley, Ozomatli,
& more.

They Might Be
Giants,
The Laurie Berkner
Band,
The Sippy
Cups, and others
will be performing on the “Good Kids” stage.

The 2010 Life is Good festival takes place on September 11-12 on Prowse Farm at the Blue
Hills in Canton, MA. For
complete line-up and
additional information, please click below.


Read More »

African warlord tries to block Naomi Campbell from testifying about ”blood diamonds”

June 1st, 2010 | No Comments

African warlord Charles Taylor is trying to block supermodel Naomi Campbell from testifying about “blood diamonds” that she allegedly received from him.
Defence lawyers for former Liberian president Taylor, who is on trial for war crimes in an international court, filed papers opposing the prosecution’’s request to subpoena Campbell to force her to testify about allegedly [...]

Read More »

International justice: Courting disaster?

May 27th, 2010 | No Comments

At its forthcoming review, the International Criminal Court has things to celebrate, things to improve and pitfalls to avoid

EVERY time the world learns of some unspeakable outrage from a benighted battle zone, the cry goes out that such things must never recur. That was the reaction after the Rwandan genocide; after the ethnic cleansing, mass killing and rape perpetrated in former Yugoslavia; after the terrible atrocities of Sierra Leone and Congo; and after the targeting of civilians in Sudan’s Darfur region. So to its supporters, the opening eight years ago of an International Criminal Court (ICC) based at The Hague, ready if no one else will to arrest and try the worst perpetrators of such crimes, was a step in the right direction. Yet as they gather in Kampala, Uganda, on May 31st for a two-week review of the ICC’s workings, the 111 states that accept its jurisdiction face big responsibilities.

Their hard look at the court’s role and record comes as the ad-hoc tribunals set up to try those responsible for atrocities in Rwanda, Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone (before the ICC existed) are winding down. As their permanent replacement, the ICC is gaining authority as the proper court of last resort for three sets of crimes: crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Its record in handling cases it has taken on so far will be under close scrutiny. …

Read More »

Naomi Campbell May Be Subpoenaed To Give Blood Diamond Testimony In Dictator’s Trial

May 20th, 2010 | No Comments

War crimes prosecutors want to subpoena supermodel Naomi Campbell to testify over a so-called blood diamond she allegedly received from former Liberian president Charles Taylor while the pair where guests in the home of former South African president Nelson Mandela in 1997. A prosecution motion filed with the Special Court for Sierra Leone Thursday reads: “Ms [...]

Read More »
Page 1 of 3123