Politically, it makes sense to be an exponent of justice.

The problem will occur if judges are not able to insulate the tribunal against that influence, … If they are unable to do that, then there are going to be serious questions about the tribunal’s...

I was troubled to see the prosecutor make what was effectively a lengthy, pretty political statement that wasn’t necessarily legally grounded.

We think there is a certainly a credible basis for this investigation by the tribunal given the facts that we have gathered.

The proceedings must be fair and be seen to be fair, and that means ensuing that the accused can vigorously defend themselves.

In the face of provocative outbursts, the judge has to be firm but not trigger-happy in applying sanctions if fairness is going to be respected.

I think there is a danger … of this spinning out of control,

These trials are already taking place in an atmosphere of enormous insecurity,

if effective measures are not implemented to provide security for defense attorney who are clearly at risk.

It may not be possible to conduct these kinds of highly charged cases in what is a very fragile and unstable environment where there is still armed conflict,

Countries should be lining up to take Taylor, not backing away.

It was clear that Slobodan Milosevic was not conducting a legal defense to the charges he was facing.

This musical chairs that they keep playing with the judges raises profound questions about the credibility of the court.

A fair trial requires defense counsel who can defend their clients zealously, without fear of reprisal.

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.

To minimize the risks involved, the court must make sure the lawyers it appoints mount a vigorous defense.

Now more than ever, we urge international donors to provide adequate funding so the court can complete its work successfully.

This is a disturbingly low threshold. It’s a real anomaly that reflects Iraqi law but not developing international law.

The ICC must also look into abuses committed by the Ugandan army. If the court finds that these crimes don’t fall within its limited mandate, it should make its findings available to the Ugandan authorities...

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...

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.

There has only been one case to date in which a war crime committed against ethnic Serbs was prosecuted and properly tried in a Croatian court. By contrast, Croatian courts have found ethnic Serbs guilty...

This reluctance to press Nigeria to hand over Taylor fosters a double standard that betrays the people of Sierra Leone,

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.

The boycott of defense lawyers must be handled in a way that demonstrates both the tribunals full commitment to fair trial rights and its control of the proceedings.

But investigation does not mean indictment unless the evidence sustains one.

There is an urgent need for a state to step forward. A prolonged delay would raise real questions about the commitment of the international community to international justice.

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...

The recent murder of two defense lawyers in the trial demonstrates the urgent need to protect those lawyers as well as witnesses,

This is a historic step, but only a first step because the prosecutor has been silent about crimes by the Ugandan Army.

serious human rights shortcomings in the structure of the 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.

I think we need to dial down our expectations of the history-telling functions of these trials.

It’s a huge setback for justice. Most of all, it’s a setback for the victims.

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.

The judges’ inauguration makes this court more unstoppable than ever,

It’s the victims that matter most, those who lost relatives, those who suffered, … They must feel closure. If the trial’s not fair and open, that satisfaction will not result.

have a chilling effect on the willingness of competent lawyers to vigorously defend the accused in these cases.

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.

not just as people associated with horrific acts but as indicted war criminals by an international court.

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...

Nigeria must ensure that Taylor is not permitted to flee from justice and the international community must ensure that security in Liberia is maintained during this process.

This is a disturbingly low threshold, … It’s a real anomaly that reflects Iraqi law but not developing international law.

We call on all governmental and inter-governmental actors in West Africa to ensure Taylor promptly appears for trial.

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...

The people of northern Uganda have long suffered terrible abuses without any chance of redress, … With today’s arrest warrants, the ICC has opened the door for justice to be done.

This is a historic step which opens doors to justice for people of Northern Uganda who have suffered horribly for nearly 20 years under the hands of the LRA,

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...

You cannot put new defense attorneys in like screwing in a light bulb. The failure by the appointed attorneys to ask the witnesses questions was probably the most disturbing part.

This is a crucial moment for Washington to help West Africa break a devastating cycle of impunity.