A fair trial requires defense counsel who can defend their clients zealously, without fear of reprisal. |
A third country needs to offer a jail cell for Charles Taylor if he's convicted. Countries should be lining up to take Taylor, not backing away. |
All kinds of political actors will be trying to spin the procedures to their own political ends in one way or another, be that the U.S. ambassador, the prime minister, the defense lawyers, the judge or the prosecutor. |
But investigation does not mean indictment unless the evidence sustains one. |
Countries should be lining up to take Taylor, not backing away. |
Despite shortcomings, it was a momentous day for Iraqis. It sends a signal that the days of unlimited impunity for these types of crimes may be winding down. |
For the U.S. government and the United Nations not to press Nigeria to hand Taylor over will send a clear message that the law only reaches so far. |
have a chilling effect on the willingness of competent lawyers to vigorously defend the accused in these cases. |
However, all arrangements for witness protection must be consistent with fair trial guarantees. |
I think indeed that these trials need to be conducted on a more focused basis than the Milosevic trial was. Of necessity, some of these criminal trials will not be able to tell anywhere near the full story of what happened. |
I think there have been real difficulties and problems in the Milosevic trial. What will be important is the evidence that was presented to indicate the motivation and intent of Milosevic. |
I think there is a danger ... of this spinning out of control, |
I think we need to dial down our expectations of the history-telling functions of these trials. |
I was troubled to see the prosecutor make what was effectively a lengthy, pretty political statement that wasn't necessarily legally grounded. |
if effective measures are not implemented to provide security for defense attorney who are clearly at risk. |