Does the implementing legislation affect the amnesty granted under the Lomé Peace Agreement?
It does not. While the Lomé Agreement bars the government from prosecuting crimes committed in furtherance of the parties objectives from 1991 to 7 July 1999, when the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General signed, he stated expressly that the amnesty provisions could not be applicable to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or other serious violations of international humanitarian law. Hence, while the amnesty provisions still apply for crimes under Sierra Leone law committed until 7 July 1999, they do not prevent people from being prosecuted for violations of international law before the Special Court, which is an international judicial body. Therefore, the amnesty continues to apply in the Sierra Leone courts and even the Special Courts Prosecutor can only prosecute for crimes under Sierra Leonean law committed after 7 July 1999.
