The Law Library of Congress recently launched a Web site to provide users with essential legal information regarding the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants in Iraq by the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal.
"The trial of Saddam Hussein is an important landmark in the development of international criminal law," said Law Librarian of Congress Rubens Medina. "The confluence of international and national legal principles that may stand in conflict at times makes the trial a notable experiment in international jurisprudence."
The site, which may be accessed at www.loc.gov/law/public/saddam/, traces the development of the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal beginning on Dec. 10, 2003, just three days prior to the capture of the former Iraqi leader. This information includes a description of the legal and statutory underpinnings of the court, its structure, jurisdictions, legal processes that guide its proceedings and legal data concerning the prosecution and defense.
With authentic documents in Arabic issued by the court, approved English translations and links to relevant legal documents, the site provides reliable and timely data not only to the public at large and international legal scholars generally, but also in particular to legal scholars of international criminal law. The site also offers a selection of scholarly, news media and reference materials from nongovernmental organizations to assist the visitor seeking in-depth information on important aspects of the trial.
A disclaimer on the site notes that "in making this selection, the Law Library of Congress does not endorse or attest to the authenticity of any such referenced materials or information."
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