I asked the two lawyers who run the Trial of Charles Taylor blog to explain how the Special Court for Sierra Leone will enforce its subpoena to compel Naomi Campbell to testify. Here’s their very helpful response.
That is an excellent question. The short answer is: the UK does not have any binding obligation to enforce the subpoena — the Special Court is very dependent on the good will of states outside of Sierra Leone (which is legally bound to cooperate with the court) to enforce its decisions and orders. While it is not yet clear what the UK will do in this particular situation, the UK has historically been very cooperative with the SCSL. Just in the Taylor case, the UK drafted the Security Council resolution 1688 in 2006 which allowed the transfer of the trial to The Hague, and also agreed to imprison Mr. Taylor if he is convicted at the end of the case. The UK is represented on the Special Court’s management committee and has been one of the court’s major donors.
I’m trying to gather more information about the practical process if Naomi Campbell refuses to comply with the subpoena. As soon as I do, I will publish a fuller post to answer your question, Shelby.
Campbell has agreed to testify.
http://www.huliq.com/10020/blood-diamonds-naomi-campbell-testify-war-crimes-trial
BBC Request:
Hello Shelby,
This is Shaimaa Khalil from the BBC World Service Radio. I work fro a program called World Have Your Say. It’s a global discussion program and today we’re discussing Naomi Campbell’s testimony in the Hague, and how that has brought so much attention to teh issue of blood diaminds.
We’d really like to have you on the programme. Is there a number I can call you on. if you’re interested i can be reached in my email.
shaimaa.khalil@bbc.co.uk