Liberia and Sierra Leone; past, present and future | Debate
Author: redactie redactie
Documentary and Debate about Charles Taylor, Liberia, Sierra Leone and two (un)civil wars.<p /><p><b><a href="/artikel.jsp?podiumid=cinema&articleid=109294"><b>19.30 - 21.15 | Documentary: Liberia; An Uncivil War<br /></b></a><a href="/artikel.jsp?podiumid=politiek&articleid=108630">21.30 - 22.30 | Debate</a></b></p><p>Charles Taylor goes to trial in The Hague on June 4. The former president of Liberia is indicted on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Special Court of Sierra Leone. Among the accusations are murder, rape, enslavement and the use of child soldiers. Although Taylor’s history in his own country is extremely brutal, the charges are about his involvement in the civil war of Sierra Leone. </p>
<p>The civil wars, financed by blood diamonds, are featured in the infamous article by Robert Kaplan, The Coming Anarchy, published in 1994 in the <i>Atlantic Monthly</i>. Kaplan, at the time required reading in the White House, called the wars examples of new barbarism. But the etiquette of barbarism conceals that the violence in both countries was highly rational and calculated. For example, women’s hands were caught off as a punishment for harvesting crops. The fear for these punishments caused paralysation in both countries, even in areas which saw virtually no violence throughout the war. There are accounts of attacks on villages in which only specific groups were targeted, causing mistrust and rumours that the rebels were hired or in league with the people who remained untouched. The wars are also known for the use of child soldiers, who were sometimes kidnapped during attacks, but only after they were forced to commit crimes such as killing their own parents, ensuring that there was no way back for them. </p><p>The groups of rebels were much to small to control the countries, but by deliberately destroying the social fabric of Liberia and Sierra Leone and making everyday life impossible, their impact was way beyond their size. </p><p>The evening on which the trial of Taylor starts, De Balie presents a necessary, but unpleasant evening with facts and personal accounts about two uncivil wars. The evening starts with an introduction by <b>Tania Bernath</b> followed by the movie <i>Liberia: an uncivil war</i>. <b>Pieter van Os</b> (De Groene Amsterdammer) will then talk with <b>Krijn Peters</b>, <b>Vamba Sherif</b> and <b>Alfred Mokuwa</b> about the impact of the conflicts, the meaning of the trial of Taylor and the future of the two countries. </p><p><b>Tania Bernath</b>, researcher Liberia and Sierra Leone, Amnesty International </p><p><b>Krijn Peters</b> is researcher at the Center for Development Studies in Swansea. He interviewed many child soldiers for his Phd research and frequently travels to Sierra Leone for the Special Court of Sierra Leone.</p><p><b>Alfred Mokuwa</b>, Sierra Leonean citizen and Phd student at Wageningen University.</p><p><b>Vamba Sherif</b>, Liberian writer.</p><p>Start | 19:30 (film) 21.30 uur (debate)<br />Entrance fee | Film costs 7 euro, 5 euro for students (CJP), filmticket also allows free access to debate. Tickets for debate alone: 4 euro, 2 euro for students (CJP).<br />Language | English</p><p>Tickets are also available on this website. To order tickets click on "bestellen". To make a reservation click on "reserveren".<br />Online tickets are available untill 24hrs prior to the program, due to processing time. <br />Tickets are also available at our boxoffice: 17.00-21.00 hrs, monday to friday, weekends 1,5hrs prior to start of program. Telephone: 020-5535100</p>This evening is made possible by OXFAM NOVIB.
