Many have been grossly unfair. May. It describes the abuses of legal procedures at the pre-trial and trial stages. Even now, someone accused of participating in the massacres of 1993 may be arrested without substantiating evidence. It may be years before they have a chance to challenge the legality of their detention. It is clear that some of those detained, including children as young as 12 years old, have been falsely accused in order to settle personal scores.
Torture is routine, particularly in police custody.
Courts fail to investigate allegations of torture, and continue to accept confessions extracted under torture as evidence. In many cases people are tried without legal representation. During 1996 and early 1997 the vast majority of defendants were denied legal representation. Although this has now improved, the role of the lawyer in court remains limited, particularly as courts do not adhere to internationally recognized standards for fair trial. Trials have been summary.