Richard Dicker
Richard Dicker
counsel defense environment exposing grave process severe themselves trials witnesses
These trials are commencing in an environment of severe insecurity, ... Everyone participating in the trial participation in the trial process judges, prosecutors, victims, witnesses and defense counsel are exposing themselves to grave risks.
atmosphere enormous taking trials
These trials are already taking place in an atmosphere of enormous insecurity,
accessible allow arises conduct crimes elsewhere fair impossible names proves question security trial understand victims whose
We understand that any trial will need to be accessible to the victims of the crimes, and to those in whose names the crimes were committed, ... But if it proves impossible to conduct a fair trial because of the security conditions, the question arises of relocating the trial elsewhere to allow for a fair proceeding.
clients counsel defend defense fair fear requires trial
A fair trial requires defense counsel who can defend their clients zealously, without fear of reprisal.
concerns court ensure fair fix grave guarantees judges late law problems provide required steps trial
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.
focusing importance judges key learn length lessons trial
There are lessons for the prosecution to learn and lessons for the judges to learn. The length of the trial underscores the importance of focusing on the key charges.
anywhere basis criminal focused full indeed near trials
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.
consistent fair protection trial witness
However, all arrangements for witness protection must be consistent with fair trial guarantees.
alleged bare crimes evidence finality four lay record short though trial waste
The trial did lay bare evidence of crimes he was alleged to have committed. I don't feel the four years were a waste in this sense. Something of a record has been set out, though short of the finality of a verdict.
human rights serious structure
serious human rights shortcomings in the structure of the trial.
backing countries lining
Countries should be lining up to take Taylor, not backing away.
acting campaign foolish global government schoolyard succeeded support
U.S. ambassadors have been acting like schoolyard bullies. The U.S. campaign has not succeeded in undermining global support for the court. But it has succeeded in making the U.S. government look foolish and mean-spirited.
accused chilling competent defend effect fairness fatal lawyers
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.
anomaly developing iraqi law low reflects
This is a disturbingly low threshold. It's a real anomaly that reflects Iraqi law but not developing international law.