The Iraqi High Tribunal and the Regime Crimes Liaison's Office

摘要

Despite the obstacles, over time the RCLO has developed a close working relationship with the IHT, and attorney-advisors have advised, assisted, and supported their Iraqi colleagues' efforts to render justice with unfamiliar tools in a difficult environment. In recent months, the RCLO has increasingly transferred responsibilities to the IHT. The IHT's ability to bear these increasing burdens thus far is a positive reflection of the efforts of the RCLO. The IHT's work has been criticized in some quarters.95 Indeed, it may not have always matched the hopes of the attorney-advisors. Evaluating every criticism or controversy is beyond the scope of this article. However, the accomplishments of the IHT and RCLO are best appreciated from a broader perspective. In a country with essentially no tradition of effective democratic rule, where violence has been the medium of politics, where dissent and independent thought have been ruthlessly punished for decades, and where violence and conflict still plague the population, the IHT's commitment to public trials guided by the rule of law is a major achievement. Importantly, it is also an Iraqi achievement, albeit one made possible by the RCLO. To paraphrase T.E. Lawrence, it may be better to let the Iraqis do it tolerably than have foreigners do it perfectly. In the end it is the Iraqis' struggle, their challenge, and the RCLO has existed to help the Iraqis shape a better future for their nation.