Saddam Hussein's trial is 'spinning out of control' and risks weakening support for domestic war crimes tribunals, the International Bar Association (IBA) has warned.

IBA executive director Mark Ellis said the Iraqi court trying the former dictator and his officials must act to salvage a process which has seen defendants removed from the court, Saddam walk out, and defence counsel boycott proceedings.


Two defence attorneys and one investigative judge have been assassinated, the chief judge recently quit due to government interference, and his replacement is accused of bias due to his past experience of Saddam's regime.


'While the court's decisions have not been inconsistent with international human rights law, it is important that it articulates clearly the reasons behind them,' said Mr Ellis.


The court should state the reasons for removing defendants and their counsel, clarify its decision to proceed in absentia, and appoint international experts to assist it, he suggested. The tribunal, Mr Ellis added, had failed to deal with defence motions questioning its legitimacy and impartiality, and needed a mandatory and transparent process for doing so.