The second session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, taking place from September 8 to 12 in New York, this morning considered the establishment of an International Criminal Bar.

Esteemed counsel Neal Sonnett of Miami tells us:

During the proceedings on September 10th, Registrar Bruno Cathala stated that "without a worthy defense there is no such thing as a fair trial after the judges and the Prosecutor, the defense is the third pillar on which a court of justice rests."

In response, the representative from Canada stated that "the reputation and
ability of the International Criminal Court to succeed will to a great extent rely on its ability to service the needs of defendants and ensure that they obtain proper representation and in this regard, I would like to emphasize that good work has already been done, in terms of assistance in this regard by the International Criminal Bar, and I would urge us to build on its efforts as we develop a plan that will adequately ensure that the services and the infrastructure that is required by the defense bar is provided."

Don't you wish the Department of Defense understood that?