Observations In the preamble of the resolution, the Council recalled the establishment of the Special Court by
Resolution 1315 (2000) and that it may meet away from its seat if necessary. Furthermore, the Council expressed its will to end
impunity, establish the
rule of law, promote
human rights and maintain international peace and security. It also appreciated that Liberian President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and
Nigerian President
Olusegun Obasanjo had requested and facilitated the transfer of Charles Taylor to the Special Court, respectively. Meanwhile, the Security Council recognised that proceedings at the Special Court would contribute to truth and reconciliation in Liberia and the subregion, and the rule of law in Sierra Leone. It noted that the trial could not take place in the Sierra Leonean capital of
Freetown due to security concerns, nor at the
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda as it was engaged with other tasks, and that no other tribunal existed in
Africa. The resolution determined that the continued presence of Charles Taylor in
West Africa constituted a threat to peace and security in the region.
Acts Under
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council noted that a trial chamber would be established in the Netherlands to exercise its functions away from the seat of the Special Court. It welcomed the
Dutch government's decision to host the trial and the
International Criminal Court's intention to use its premises to detain and try Charles Taylor. In this context, co-operation from all states was required and for the
Secretary-General Kofi Annan to assist in the arrangements. Meanwhile, the Special Court was requested to make the proceedings accessible publicly through
video link, as it was given exclusive
jurisdiction over Charles Taylor during the detention and trial process. The Dutch government was to facilitate the trial by: :(a) allowing the detention and trial of Charles Taylor; :(b) facilitating the transport of Charles Taylor while in the Netherlands; :(c) enabling the appearance of witnesses, experts and others at the trial in the same way as at the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The resolution exempted Charles Taylor from the provisions of
Resolution 1521 (2003) for the purposes of travel within the Netherlands, and noted that costs were to be borne by the Special Court that was funded via contributions from states. ==See also==