Newly sworn in Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC); Justice Miatta Maria Samba has disclosed that “I feel very proud and elated to be one of the judges of the first permanent Criminal Court. I am particularly happy to put Sierra Leone on the map.”
Speaking to Sierra Leone’s Information Attachè to the Embassy in Brussels after being sworn in at the ICC at the Hague, Netherlands, Justice Miatta Samba, the first Sierra Leonean to hold such a top position, stated that Sierra Leone will now be known for its respect for International Criminal Justice and how much “we as a people and [the] nation respect the human rights of other people”.
Her appointment is consistent with the emphasis the government has placed on education for all especially the girl child. She commended President Julius Maada Bio for his support to education which is his flagship program.
Justice Maria Samba was sworn in as Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone following her appointment by President Bio and approval by Parliament on February 23, 2021.
She explained that “my job at the ICC will be a full time job, but as much as I have been sworn in today, I will not yet be a full time judge until I am called to serve. I will continue to work at the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone until such a time I am called upon by the ICC.”
She said that her appointment is a testament that “women are making headways.” “I can tell you that today’s swearing in at the ICC brings 18 Judges to the court of which half the number is women”.
Justice Samba said women are making headways in other tribunals and other areas of work. “We have female judges at the International Court for Justice and going back home, we have women appointed by President Bio to serve in various capacities and are doing exceptionally well,” she stated.
“I compete equally and I hope my fellow women will speak up for what they believe in,” She emphasized.
By Betty Milton, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone embassy in Brussel
12/03/2021. ISSUE NO: 8019