The doctrine of universal jurisdiction has evolved throughout modern times in the context of
global criminal justice as a paramount agent of combating impunity emanating from international
criminality. Sierra Leone as a member of the international community and the United Nations
has in recent times been a pioneer in the progressive application and development of
international criminal law in the African region. Despite this role the country's profile
both in terms of the incorporation and application of the doctrine of universal jurisdiction
is deficient in several major respects falling far short of its dual international obligation
not to provide safe havens from justice for perpetrators of international crimes and to combat
impunity from such criminogenic acts. Hence a compelling reason for the author to write this
book was to provide a seminal scholarly work on the subject articulating the existing state of
the law in Sierra Leone and highlighting the deficiencies in the law and factors inhibiting the
exercise of universal jurisdiction in this UN member state. It was also to propose necessary
substantive and procedural law reforms in the state's jurisprudence on the subject.The book is
recommended reading for practitioners and scholars in international criminal law and related
disciplines. Its accessibility is highly enhanced by relevant tables and summaries of each
chapter.Justice Rosolu J.B. Thompson is Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice Studies Eastern
Kentucky University USA. He was a member of and Presiding Judge in Trial Chamber I of the
Special Court for Sierra Leone.
