Nigeria: Amicus Curiae brief submitted to the Federal High Court reviewing refugee status granted to Charles Taylor

On 31 May 2004, the Nigerian Federal High Court granted leave to two Nigerian victims of torture in Sierra Leone to challenge asylum granted by the Nigerian government to former Liberian President Charles Taylor in August 2003. On 20 September 2004, Amnesty International applied to the Federal High Court for leave to submit this amicus curiae brief. The brief examines issues relevant to the case such as, firstly, whether a person who has been indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for crimes against humanity or war crimes is entitled under international law to refugee status. Secondly, whether Nigeria is obliged under international law to surrender a person who has been indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for crimes against humanity and war crimes to that Court.

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