On the second anniversary of Charles Taylor's flight to Nigeria, his continued impunity is undermining the rule of law in West Africa and putting civilians in the region at risk.
We have grave concerns that the court will not provide the fair trial guarantees required by international law, ... But it's not too late for the tribunal's judges to fix some of these problems if they take steps to ensure a fair trial.
have a chilling effect on the willingness of competent lawyers to vigorously defend the accused in these cases.
To minimize the risks involved, the court must make sure the lawyers it appoints mount a vigorous defense.
This could have a chilling effect on the willingness of competent lawyers to vigorously defend the accused and that could have a fatal effect on the fairness and effectiveness of the trial.
This is a disturbingly low threshold. It's a real anomaly that reflects Iraqi law but not developing international law.
This is a disturbingly low threshold, ... It's a real anomaly that reflects Iraqi law but not developing international law.
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.