Countdown

Hello everyone, it's Mo here. I want to thank you all who have taken the time to log onto my blog and add comments and ask questions. I will be traveling to Africa tomorrow (May 1st) for the start of my Summer internship. I look forward to hearing from all of you. I promise to try and keep the blog updated as much as possible (preferably on a daily basis based on my internet access in Africa).

I hope to provide you all with information about the internship (without breaking any confidentiality rules) that will help further your understanding of International Criminal Law. Over the past few months, I have mentally, physically, intellectually and emotionally prepared for this trip and the internship as best as I can. I have no doubt that this trip and the internship will have a lasting effect on my life (hopefully a positive one). This is the first time I can say I'm going to be part of something I believe is greater than myself; because I have the opportunity to contribute in the rebuilding process of my native country, and for this reason, more than anything else, I will forever cherish my participation in, and the knowledge I will gain from the internship.

As a student of the law, a native Sierra Leoenean and a citizen of the world, I believe the work being carried on by the Special Court in Sierra Leone and other similar courts (ICTY, ICTR, ICC, ACHPR etc) is important in the furtherance of the rule of law around the world. Whether any or all the accuseds are innocent or guilty is a matter of law or fact; but the fact that in Sierra Leone, people suspected of carrying out the most-egregious atrocities in violation of Customary Human Right Law are being tried is a victory in itself for the rule of law. In my personal and humble opinion, a society without the rule of law is doomed and will fail. For this reason, each and everytime we as humans have the choice of choosing between furthering the rule of law or looking the other way, I hope we choose the rule of law.

Working for the Defense Section of the court will be interesting, challenging and educational for various reasons. As a native Sierra Leonean, I personally lost extended family members and childhood friends in the civil war. I have been asked by many people: why work for the defense team, why work on defending Charles Taylor and the other defendants indicted by the court? My answer to each and everyone that has asked me this question has been consistent: it's not only Charles Taylor and the other indictees you're defending, but our very system of criminal justice which affords all accuseds the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This is a right provided to all defendants and is one of the most fundamental right in the criminal justice system of most nations around the world. Further, I believe that if Charles Taylor and the other defendants, who are accused of these egregious atrocities, can be defended, so can all of us if we are ever accused of a crime. I believe that as a defense intern, I not only get to (possibly) help in the defense of Charles Taylor and the other defendants, but I get to help defend our very system of criminal justice which is a greater cause than defending any one individual defendant.

I will like to take this opportunity to thank all those that help make this internship and experience possible. I extend my gratitude and appreciation to the the following people and entities
1. God because without him, nothing is possible; and also my parents and family for all their love and support.
2. The FSU College of Law Administration including Prof. D'alemberte, Professor Sally Gertz, Dean Benavides, Prof. Christie, Ms. Lynn Peacock, Prof. Teson, Hunter Hughes, John Bembry, Prof. Coonan and Vania (at the CAHR).
3. The FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights
4. Edward Wilton
5. Loren and Nancy Brelsford
6. Mr. John Paterakis
7. Ed and Marie Wilton
8. Ben and Natalie Tuttle
9. Mr. Juan Sanchez
10. Donna and Joe Portlock
11. Carlos and Ryane Cruz
12. Jack Capra and Nina Karezooni
13. Mr. and Mrs. Brian Berkowitz
14. All my friends and colleagues at the college of law.

I thank you all for your support and continued encouragement. It means more to me than you all know. I will be forever grateful to you all.

In conclusion, I invite you all to come on this journey and experience with me. I look forward to your comments, question and advice during this summer. I hope you all are having a wonderful summer, good luck with all your personal summer endeavors and I look forward to seeing you all when I return to the United States in August. Thanks, take care and I hope to hear from you all soon.

Sincerely
Mo