The lack of qualified lawyers available to provide criminal defense representation to the poor is a serious problem in post-conflict and transitional countries. There are often only a handful of lawyers available to represent all indigent defendants. The new UN Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems provide an opportunity for addressing the lack of sufficient counsel to indigent defendants in transitional countries. The International Legal Foundation (ILF) is an international nongovernmental organization founded to assist post-conflict and transitional countries in developing free, quality, defense services for the poor. ILF has established public defender programs in Afghanistan, Nepal, and the West Bank.
ILF country staff and the ABA Rule of Law Initiative form an expert panel to address challenges in establishing effective criminal defense services for the poor in post-conflict settings. The panel discusses strategies for ensuring early access to quality legal defense for the poor and the protection of defendants’ rights globally. The panel also reflects on the new UN Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems and considers future opportunities for promoting the rights of indigent accused persons at all stages of a criminal case.
Read more
Homicide Reduction
Q&A: How One Colombian City Is Tackling Violent Crime
Palmira, Colombia, is one of the most violent cities in the world. But a prevention program focusing on youth has reduced crime significantly—and earned it an international peace prize. The city’s mayor on what’s working.
In Remembrance
Lani Guinier’s Overlooked Education Legacy
The late Lani Guinier thought deeply about the intersection between education and criminal justice. Her leadership at Open Society helped pave the way to colleges across the country offering higher education to the incarcerated.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS
Challenging Mexico’s Abusive Preventative Detention System
Mónica Esparza’s case is one of the most notorious cases of extreme gender violence carried out by Mexican authorities. What her story teaches about how to combat the country’s scourge of gender-based violence.