Victims and witnesses protection and support

 The Rome Statute, the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and the Regulations of the Court and of the Registry contain important provisions for the protection and support of victims and witnesses. These provisions are key for the successful functioning of the Court, aiming to ensure that victims can participate in proceedings and witnesses testify freely and truthfully without fear of retribution or suffering of further harm.

Article 68 (1) of the Rome Statute provides that the Court shall take appropriate measures to protect the safety, physical and psychological well-being, dignity and privacy of victims and witnesses.

To this end, pursuant to Article 43 (6), the Registrar has set up a Victims and Witnesses Unit within the Registry to provide protective measures and security arrangements, counselling and other appropriate assistance for witnesses, victims who appear before the Court and others who are at risk on account of testimony.

On 29 and 30 January 2009, the Registrar organised a roundtable on the protection of victims and witnesses at the seat of the Court in The Hague. It was organised in order to explain how the protection system operates, what challenges are faced and what support the Court requires to fulfil its mandate. The round table was also intended as a discussion forum to allow different points of view to be exchanged from the perspectives of Non-governmental organisations, other international criminal tribunals and institutional partners of the Court. 

29 and 30 January 2009 - Summary Report on the Round Table on the Protection of Victims and Witnesses Appearing Before the International Criminal Court

24 November 2010 - Summary Report on the Seminar on Protection of Victims and Witnesses Appearing Before the International Criminal Court