A/HRC/10/52 page 13 programme for the victims of the civil conflict. In addition to providing technical support and advisory services, such as ensuring a human rights-based approach to all programme planning and implementation, members of staff of the Section also serve on the steering committee of the programme which provides overall guidance and control of the project. In collaboration with the Human Rights Commission, the Section also organized a stakeholders’ consultative conference on the status of implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations in Freetown, which formulated strategies to facilitate the implementation of the outstanding recommendations. Of the 56 recommendations made only 20 have been fully or partially implemented. Many challenges remain in the implementation of the recommendations due in part to resource constraints and lack of a comprehensive Government policy. The Human Rights and Rule of Law Section is involved in advocacy activities in this connection and also serves on the National Steering Committee on Reparations where it provides guidance on the implementation of the recommendations as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. C. The Special Court for Sierra Leone 39. The Special Court completed the appeal in the case of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) members who were convicted and sentenced to six years and eight years respectively for war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions. The Appeal Chamber increased the sentences to 15 and 20 years respectively. The trial of the leading members of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) was completed. The ground-breaking judgement in this trial, which was completed on 22 February 2008, resulted in the first conviction under international criminal law for the recruitment and use of child soldiers. Furthermore, the ruling that forced marriage is a crime against humanity was a welcome development in international jurisprudence. Final arguments of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) trial involving Issa Hassan Sesay, Moses Kallon and Augustine Gbao were concluded on 24 June 2008 and a judgement was expected in December 2008. 40. The Special Court for Sierra Leone is being slowly downsized as it has completed all but two cases. In addition to its remaining caseload, the Court is actively engaged in transfer of knowledge to local partners and archiving of jurisprudence for various purposes. A legacy working group consisting of the representatives of Government, civil society, United Nations agencies and international NGOs has been established to identify the areas of transfer of knowledge and implement capacity-building activities. In this context it is envisaged that the courts, prisons, prosecution service and civil society organizations will benefit from the experience of the Special Court. 41. The trial of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, is in progress at The Hague and Trial Chamber II of the Special Court for Sierra Leone has completed the hearing of more than 80 prosecution witnesses. Charles Taylor was indicted in 2003 on 17 counts for crimes against humanity, violations of article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.