The super model and the ex dictator
August 05, 2010
Posted by:Jonathan Wheeler
Naomi Campbell gave evidence today at the trial in the Hague of Charles Taylor, the former dictator of Liberia, who is charged with war crimes after thousands were maimed and killed in the civil war in Sierra Leone. Taylor is charged with commanding and funding the brutal RUF rebels in the conflict which lasted 10 years from 1991. As a reluctant witness Campbell is reported to have said in evidence this morning that appearing in court was "a big inconvenience" for her. She was asked to clarify whether Taylor had given her uncut diamonds as a gift in 1997. Prosecutors hope to link Taylor to these 'blood diamonds' which they allege funded the Taylor regime and allowed him to buy weapons for the rebels. Cambell's legal team secured an order banning journalists from photographing her within the confines of the court building. Such orders are routinely sought for witnesses testifying in war crimes trials who fear for their safety and wish to remain anonymous to the outside world for good reason. But Campbell can hardly be said to be motivated by such concerns - she is a well known celebrity. And well known celebrities who mix with the powerful of the world, and accept "dirty stones" as gifts deserve such inconvenience when being brought to account for their lives. After all, the rights of thousands of people were ruined under the Taylor regime. Campbell had previously denied in media interviews that she had received such a gift from Taylor but today clarified that she had lied about the matter. Maybe instead of engaging her legal team to protect her media profile, she would have been better off instructing human rights lawyers to explain that her inconvenience is a small price to pay for her testimony if it can help bring justice to the world.