Research conducted this year in Sierra Leone by Amnesty International showed a reduction in mutilations, rapes and killings in areas where UN troops were deployed, although such abuses continued despite the July 1999 peace agreement.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

'Amnesty International condemns the continuing abuses against civilians and the capture of up to 500 UN troops by the rebel forces of Foday Sankoh's Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

'By failing to comply with the most basic provisions of the peace agreement the RUF and its leaders have lost any claim to immunity from prosecution for the appalling crimes that have been committed against the people of Sierra Leone.'

Amnesty International expressed concerns from the outset regarding the peace agreement itself because of its failure to hold those responsible for war crime and crimes against humanity to account

'Any peace must be underpinned by justice and the accountability of all parties for their actions', said Kate Allen.