The ILF is a not-for-profit public defender organization. It was created in 1997 to assist post-conflict countries and those in transition in the establishment of effective, quality criminal defense services for the poor. It is guided by two fundamental principles: that laws must be drafted with an appreciation of the cultural realities of the country in which they will function and that defense lawyers -- as guardians of due process -- are indispensable to any fair system of justice and must be provided to anyone accused of a crime.