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PDF Format: Lesson Series 47: Victim and witness protection
The Issue
When
victims of human rights abuse dare to speak out and make complaints
against their perpetrators, they invariably face further abuse and
harassment. Witnesses to such abuse--bystanders, relatives of the victim
as well as the victim herself--are also subjected to abuse and
harassment, in hopes of dissuading them from giving testimony.
Witness
testimony is crucial to successful prosecution of the perpetrators and
for ensuring justice, particularly in Asian jurisdictions. It is
therefore essential that victims and witnesses are given adequate
protection to ensure fair trial and effective redress. The majority of
Asian countries however, have no mechanisms in place to provide this
protection. Lack of protection prevents victims and witnesses from
coming forward, which in turn reduces the chances of effective
prosecution and justice. It also serves to encourage perpetrators to
continue committing violations.
The Lessons
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