Taylor trial unique but sends key signal on impunity

By Alexandra Hudson

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Charles Taylor's war crimes trial has recovered from a shaky start to become a model for bringing a former ruler before an international court and has helped send a message that the days of impunity are over.

The relatively smooth running of the former Liberian president's trial, on charges of inciting murder, rape and terror, has been in marked contrast to the delays and theatrics at trials for former Yugoslav and Iraqi leaders.

Although the mandate of the court trying Taylor, who has pleaded not guilty, is limited to crimes committed in Sierra Leone, the U.N.-backed Special Court serves as an example to other tribunals that might try former rulers such as the International Criminal Court.

"There is substantial progress in this crucially important trial ... both from a structural assessment and an impact assessment," said Elise Keppler of Human Rights Watch.

The ex-Liberian president is the first former African head of state to stand trial in front of any court.

"Taylor is notorious in West Africa and without trying Taylor the feeling was this court would have failed," she said.

"The fact he is sitting there, that there is real momentum, and that invaluable information is being put forward coupled with disturbing detail of the atrocities, is already a huge contribution to international justice," she said.

The U.N.-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone was set up to try those with the greatest responsibility for war crimes in the country. More than 250,000 people died in intertwined wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, characterised by brutal attacks on civilians, drug-crazed child soldiers and amputations of limbs.