Yesterday and today have been very busy days for me at work. I was asked by my supervisor to directly assist Charles Taylor's Counsel. This is very exciting for me, but also means more work and challenge which I look forward to. I'm very tired right now, so I have to go to sleep now. Take care and I'll talk to you all later.
Mo
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Tuesday May 16
Hello everyone, it's Mo here again; I hope everyone is doing great. Work is getting a bit hectic now. Things are picking up and I have a lot of work to do. For this reason, my journal entry for today will be short.
I spent part of the day talking to my supervisor about the rules and procedures of my internship and what projects I will be working on during my time with the court. I was also a little sad that he is going on leave at the end of the week. He's traveling to Canada where his family lives to spend time with them and then he's off to Oxford University to defend his dissertation for his Ph.D in International Humanitarian Law. He is a very intelligent, educated, and caring man and I will be forever thankful for all his help during my stay at the Court.
I now have a new supervisor who is a defense counsel in the CDF trial. I had a chance to meet with and speak with him today and I look forward to working with him towards the overall betterment of the defense team. I did some research today on the Rwandan genocide and its causes for my outgoing supevisor which was also quite interesting.
I took some pictures with my new supervisor in the traditional robe used by international lawyers. I hope you enjoy the pictures and have some comments and questions. Take care everyone and I look forward to hearing from everyone soon.
Mo
Monday, May 15, 2006
First Monday at Work
Hello everyone, it's Mo here again. I hope everyone is doing great. Today was my first Monday at work and I have to say it was an interesting one. I finally got my U.N. email address (haidaram@un.org), and some internal mail from other sections of the court.
For most of the day, I was going through the live feed of the on-going defense case in the CDF trial. The proceedings are very interesting and exciting. They are quite different from the Common Law system. For example, unlike the common law system, the proceedings are a combination of the common and civil law systems. A lot more hearsay evidence are admissible as truth without much corroboration (it will be hard to otherwise prosecute these cases without allowing some hearsay evidence).
I have a meeting with my boss tomorrow to discuss a plan for the remainder of my time with the court. I am really interested in working with a particular defense team, but my supervisor advised me to wait until I have gotten acclimated to the office first. I have a lot to do tomorrow including going over some trial transcripts and maybe some research and writing. Once again, thank you all and I hope to hear from you all soon.
Mo
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Weekend
Hello again guys, I hope everyone is doing great. My first weekend at work was fill with things to do. I worked on my journal, spent time with friends and family members, worked on my paper and started my research on the African Court on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR). The subject matter of the research is very interesting and quite different from my current internship position.
I was told by my supervisor that he had some important work for me to do this week; I'm very excited about what it might be but also somewhat apprehensive. As I indicated in Friday's posting, I had the opportunity to meet four of the accused currently in the Court's custody. Due to confidentiality rules, I can only say it's an experience I will never forget. I was excited and very interested in seeing them in person.
I'm ready for my second week at work and I look forward to you all joining me.
Sincerely
Mo
I was told by my supervisor that he had some important work for me to do this week; I'm very excited about what it might be but also somewhat apprehensive. As I indicated in Friday's posting, I had the opportunity to meet four of the accused currently in the Court's custody. Due to confidentiality rules, I can only say it's an experience I will never forget. I was excited and very interested in seeing them in person.
I'm ready for my second week at work and I look forward to you all joining me.
Sincerely
Mo
Friday, May 12, 2006
First Friday at Work
My day was adventurous at work today as I got to meet some of the defendants in person and speak with them. It is an experience that I will never forget. I was scared but at the same time interested in meeting them. We dropped by to give them transcript of their trials. They each took tiime to ask me my name, where I was from and how I liked the job. I was very intimidated to be around people accused of such atrocities.
Attached to today's posting is a picture of me at work today (we're allowed to wear jeans on Fridays) and a picture of my ID card.
Today was an especially difficult day for me emotionally because two of my friends (one in New York and the other here in Freetown) lost their dads to cancer. I was really emotional and devastated at the news of both deaths. I paid my respects at the home of my friend (in Freetown) after work, and it was very sad to see him without his father. I have known him and his family since our childhood. As for my friend in New York, the passing of her dad was more difficult because I couldn't be there for her during this very difficult time. I really feel like a bad friend, but I called her and she made me feel better. We both cried on the phone and I expressed my deepest condolence to her entire family. May both their dad's souls rest in peace.
Once again, thank you all. I hope that you all will have my friends, their dads and their families in your prayers. Thank you very much and I look forward to your comments.
Mo
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Second day at work
Hello all, it's Mo here again. Today was my second day or work and I will have to say it was an experience. I finally got a computer on my desk, my phone with an extension assigned and the opportunity to view an international criminal law proceeding in person. I will have to say it was an experience and a legal education that I will never forget.
The proceeding was starkly different from what I'm used to in the U.S. (Common Law System). The court uses both common and civil law. The judges could directly ask the witnesses questions, there are minimal objections (even when the testimony is clearly hearsay or a prior inconsistent statement). Also, there are no rules of limited admissibility (evidence against one defendant can be used against the other as long as there is any relevancy without any consideration of its prejudicial value). This was really interesting and educational to me.
I will post more comments about my first court appearance sometime this weekend. I have a project I will be starting on tomorrow. I have not been told yet what it is, but I believe it will be interesting and will require lengthy research. I was also advised that I may have the opportunity to meet Charles Taylor which I look forward to.
I welcome your comment, questions and concerns; please feel free to come with me on this experience. I thank you all and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Mo
The proceeding was starkly different from what I'm used to in the U.S. (Common Law System). The court uses both common and civil law. The judges could directly ask the witnesses questions, there are minimal objections (even when the testimony is clearly hearsay or a prior inconsistent statement). Also, there are no rules of limited admissibility (evidence against one defendant can be used against the other as long as there is any relevancy without any consideration of its prejudicial value). This was really interesting and educational to me.
I will post more comments about my first court appearance sometime this weekend. I have a project I will be starting on tomorrow. I have not been told yet what it is, but I believe it will be interesting and will require lengthy research. I was also advised that I may have the opportunity to meet Charles Taylor which I look forward to.
I welcome your comment, questions and concerns; please feel free to come with me on this experience. I thank you all and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Mo
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
First day at work.
Hello everyone, it's finally here; my first day at work was today. I met with my supervisor and the entire defense team. They were very happy to meet me as I was to meet them. I was given a tour of the entire facility, met the heads of all the various departments of the court, assigned a U.N. email, a desk and a security I.D. I'm very excited at the opportunity to work on such an exiting court.
I met other interns from around the world including South Africa, U.K, Uganda, Sierra Leone and the U.S. They were all very nice and helpful to me. The dress code at work is either suit or business casual from M-T and on Fridays, it's casual and you can wear jeans which helps because it's so hot here right now.
The security at the court is very very intense and intimidating. I'm not used to seeing guns everywhere; but that's exactly what you see around the court especially since the arrival of Charles Taylor. I was advised by my supervisor that I may have the opportunity to actually participate in Court proceedings and meet the detainees including Charles Taylor (I'm not sure what impact that will have on me). The internship is going to be mentally, physically and emotionally exausting, I was made aware of that today, but I believe I'm ready for the challenge. Finally today, I had the opportunity to participate in a tour of the Special Court with grade school students and explaining to them the responsibilities of the defense and prosecution sections of the court.
I will like to take this opportunity to thank you all for coming with me on this experience. I hope to hear from you all soon and I look forward to your comments, questions and concerns.
Mo
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
I'm finally here, I start work tomorrow (May 10th)
Hello everyone, it's Mo here again. I'm very sorry if anyone has been worried about the fact that I had not updated my blog. Due to the internet access in the city, I was not able to check my email for almost 4 days since arriving.
When I landed at Lungi (Freetown International Airport), my first act was to kiss the ground. I was happy to be back home. I went through immigration and customs (they took $30 from me, for what I'm not sure) with no problems. I've been in the country for four days now and there has been no electricity. I found a place to stay on Monday which is very close to the Special Court (less than 1/3 mile from the court; walking distance) but I will still need a generator, freezer, television, internet and running water. I finally bought a generator today for about Le. 1million (about $350), paid for my internet subscription which costs (including equipment) about $150 a month (only about 6 hour access per day).
As many of you know, it's been over 11 days since I last saw my family here in Sierra Leone. The emotion of once again seeing my grandma, dad, step-mom, brothers and sister, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, friends, and all my other family members was overwhelming. I didn't sleep for about two days because I had so many people who came by to see me. Everyone had stories to tell about how they survived the civil war in the country. The stories were sad, amazing, frightening, depressing, astonishing and downright scary. I had nightmares for two days. I couldn't sleep and I will wake up in the middle of the night yelling or sweating. It has been a struggle.
The economic situation in this country is deemer than I thought. To see the sufferings in the eyes of men, women and children has given me a greater appreciation of my life and privileges in the Unites States. I have no doubt that my internship and visit to my home country will have a lasting effect on my life. I already feel very confused, disappointed and at the same time happy and excited about the status of the country. There are good things, but there are also not so good things. I can't understand some of the things I've seen and heard with my own ears and eyes.
My first day of work is tomorrow (May 10th) at 9am. I'm very excited to finally meet my boss and the rest of the defense team. I'm not sure what awaits me but I feel as ready as I can possibly be under the circumstances. As I indicated, I hope that you all will come on this journey and go through this experience with me. I have no doubt that this internship will forever change my focus on the world and life itself. I will update this blog as much as possible; but due to my internet access and speed, I may only be able to update this blog on a weekly basis. Please forgive me and I look forward to all your comments, questions and concerns. Thank you very much and I hope to hear from you all very soon.
As for all those of you who were unable to post on my blog due to technical difficulties (such as requests to register), that problem should now be fixed. Please email me if you're not able to post a comment or suggestions at mch4434@fsu.edu.
Sincerely Mo
When I landed at Lungi (Freetown International Airport), my first act was to kiss the ground. I was happy to be back home. I went through immigration and customs (they took $30 from me, for what I'm not sure) with no problems. I've been in the country for four days now and there has been no electricity. I found a place to stay on Monday which is very close to the Special Court (less than 1/3 mile from the court; walking distance) but I will still need a generator, freezer, television, internet and running water. I finally bought a generator today for about Le. 1million (about $350), paid for my internet subscription which costs (including equipment) about $150 a month (only about 6 hour access per day).
As many of you know, it's been over 11 days since I last saw my family here in Sierra Leone. The emotion of once again seeing my grandma, dad, step-mom, brothers and sister, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, friends, and all my other family members was overwhelming. I didn't sleep for about two days because I had so many people who came by to see me. Everyone had stories to tell about how they survived the civil war in the country. The stories were sad, amazing, frightening, depressing, astonishing and downright scary. I had nightmares for two days. I couldn't sleep and I will wake up in the middle of the night yelling or sweating. It has been a struggle.
The economic situation in this country is deemer than I thought. To see the sufferings in the eyes of men, women and children has given me a greater appreciation of my life and privileges in the Unites States. I have no doubt that my internship and visit to my home country will have a lasting effect on my life. I already feel very confused, disappointed and at the same time happy and excited about the status of the country. There are good things, but there are also not so good things. I can't understand some of the things I've seen and heard with my own ears and eyes.
My first day of work is tomorrow (May 10th) at 9am. I'm very excited to finally meet my boss and the rest of the defense team. I'm not sure what awaits me but I feel as ready as I can possibly be under the circumstances. As I indicated, I hope that you all will come on this journey and go through this experience with me. I have no doubt that this internship will forever change my focus on the world and life itself. I will update this blog as much as possible; but due to my internet access and speed, I may only be able to update this blog on a weekly basis. Please forgive me and I look forward to all your comments, questions and concerns. Thank you very much and I hope to hear from you all very soon.
As for all those of you who were unable to post on my blog due to technical difficulties (such as requests to register), that problem should now be fixed. Please email me if you're not able to post a comment or suggestions at mch4434@fsu.edu.
Sincerely Mo
Sunday, April 30, 2006
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
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
Monday, April 17, 2006
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
I look forward to communicatin with all of you
As many of you know, I have an upcoming internship at the Special Court in Sierra Leone. I look forward to communicating with all of you during my internship. I have been very encouraged by the interest you all have shown. I promise to do my best to communicate with all of you and I look forward to your comments and questions.
Mo
Mo
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