By Fatmata Jengbe
Justice Miatta Maria Samba the newly sworn- in Judge of the International Criminal Court ( ICC) 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 the Sierra Leone’s Information Attaché 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 nation respect the human rights of other people,” she emphasized.
Her appointment is consistent with the emphasis the Government has placed on education for all especially the girl child. She commended His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his support to education as his flagship program.
Justice Miatta Maria Samba was sworn in as Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone following her appointment by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and approved by Parliament on 23 February 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”.
On the 8th March, the World Commemorated International Women’s Day: what does her appointment mean for women? She stated “this shows 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 are women”.
Justice Samba said women were 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 underscored.
