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Irish Centre for Human Rights

Irish Centre for Human Rights. Summer Course on the International Criminal Court 2010 Victim Participation. Victim Participation Introduction.

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Irish Centre for Human Rights

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  1. Irish Centre for Human Rights Summer Course on the International Criminal Court 2010 Victim Participation

  2. Victim ParticipationIntroduction “… to me it also does not seem to be just to beg the judge, nor to be acquitted by begging, but rather to teach and to persuade. For the judge is not seated to give away the just things as a gratification, but to judge them. For he has not sworn to gratify whoever seems favorable to him, but to give judgment according to the laws” Apology of Socrates Plato

  3. Victim ParticipationIntroduction “The Tribunal was to achieve justice through criminal proceedings. The purpose of such proceedings was multi-fold: the primary objective was to convict – and punish – those individually responsible for their crimes. The suffering and loss of the victims of such crimes would thereby be internationally recognised and acknowledged.” Prosecutor v. Momir Nikolic (IT-02-60/1-S) (2 Dec. 2003) par. 59

  4. Victim ParticipationProsecutor’s Duties Article 54 (Duties and powers of the Prosecutor) • The prosecutor shall: • In order to establish the truth, extend the investigation to cover all facts and evidence relevant to an assessment of whether there is criminal responsibility under this Statute, and, in doing so, investigate incriminating and exonerating circumstances equally.

  5. Victim ParticipationProtection of Victims Article 68 (protection of Victims and Witnesses) 1 The Court shall take appropriate measures to protect the safety, physical and psychological well-being, dignity and privacy of victims and witnesses. In so doing, the Court shall have regard to all relevant factors, including age, gender as defined in article 7, paragraph 3, and health, and the nature of the crime, in particular, but not limited to, where the crime involves sexual or gender violence or violence against children. The Prosecutor shall take such measures particularly during the investigation and prosecution of such crimes. These measures shall not be prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights of the accused and a fair and impartial trial.

  6. Victim ParticipationProtection of Victims Article 54 • The Prosecutor Shall:… b) Take appropriate measures to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court, and in doing so, respect the interests and personal circumstances of victims and witnesses, including age, gender … and health, and take into account the nature of the crime, in particular where it involves sexual violence, gender violence or violence against children; and, c) Fully respect the rights of persons arising under this Statute.

  7. Victim ParticipationThe Statute Generally • Trust Fund for Victims (Article 79 and Rule 98) • Victims and Witnesses Unit (Art 63 (6); Rules 16 – 19; Court Regs (CReg 41) and Registry Regs (RRegs 54 – 118) • Office of Public Counsel for Victims (Rule 16(1)(b) & (c), CReg 81 and RReg 114-117

  8. Victim ParticipationRights of Victims Article 68 3 Where the personal interests of the victims are affected, the Court shall permit their views and concerns to be presented and considered at stages of the proceedings determined to be appropriate by the Court and in a manner which is not prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights of the accused and a fair and impartial trial. Such views and concerns may be presented by the legal representatives of the victims where the Court considers it appropriate, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

  9. Victim ParticipationCase law On January 17, 2006, the Pre-Trial Chamber decided that victims have the right to participate in the proceedings at the investigation stage pursuant to the provisions of article 68(3) of the Rome Statute Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (ICC-01/04) Decision on the Applications for Participation in the Proceedings of VPRS 1, VPRS 2 … (17 Jan 2006)

  10. Victim ParticipationCase law Par 55. Participation pursuant to article 68(3) … is confined to proceedings before the Court, and aims to afford victims an opportunity to voice their views and concerns on matters affecting their personal interests. This does not equate them … to parties to the proceedings before a Chamber, restricting their participation to issues arising therein touching upon their personal interests, and then at stages and in a manner not inconsistent with the rights of the accused and a fair and impartial trial.

  11. Victim ParticipationCase law Par 57. … It is for the Pre-Trial Chamber to determine how best to rule upon applications for participation, in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Court’s texts. The Pre-Trial Chamber must do so bearing in mind that participatory rights can only be granted under article 68(3) … once the requirements of that provision have been fulfilled. Situation in Darfur, Judgment on victim participation in the investigation stage of the proceedings…; ICC-02/05 OA OA2 OA3, 2 February 2009

  12. Victim ParticipationIdentifying Victims Rule 85 (Definition of victims) For the purposes of the Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence: (a) ‘Victims’ means natural persons who have suffered harm as a result of the commission of any crime within the jurisdiction of the Court; (b) Victims may include organizations or institutions that have sustained direct harm to any of their property which is dedicated to religion, education, art or science or charitable purposes, and to their historic monuments, hospitals and other places and objects for humanitarian purposes. (see Rules Section III, Rules 85 – 99)

  13. Victim ParticipationIdentifying Victims Par 92: The Rome Statute framework does not provide a definition of the concept of harm under Rule 85 … . However, in accordance with Principle 8 of the Basic Principles, a victim may suffer, either individually or collectively, from harm in a variety of different ways such as physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of his or her fundamental rights. This principle provides appropriate guidelines. Situation in the DRC, P. v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, ICC-01/04-01/06, 18 January 2008, Par 38: harm has to be personal. Judgment on the appeal, 11 July 2008

  14. Victim Participation Victims/Witnesses Article 68 • 2) provides for in camera hearings to protect a victim, witness or accused, particularly in the case of sexual offences or when a child is providing evidence. • 4) empowers the Victims and Witnesses unit to advise the Court and Prosecutor on protective measures

  15. Victim Participation Victims/Witnesses Article 68 5 Where the disclosure of evidence or information pursuant to this Statute may lead to the grave endangerment of the security of a witness or his or her family, the Prosecutor may, for the purposes of any proceedings conducted prior to the commencement of the trial, withhold such evidence or information and instead submit a summary thereof. Such measures shall be exercised in a manner which is not prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights of the accused and a fair and impartial trial.

  16. Victim ParticipationTrial Article 64 (Functions and Powers of the Trial Chamber) 2 The Trial Chamber shall ensure that a trial is fair and expeditious and is conducted with full respect for the rights of the accused and due regard for the protection of victims and witnesses.

  17. Victim ParticipationProcedure Article 15(3)Victims may make representations to the Pre-Trial Chamber at the point where the Prosecutor submits a request for authorization of an investigation Art 19(3): Victims may submit observations to the Court on an issue of jurisdiction or admissibility

  18. Victim ParticipationVictim and Witness Units Ad hoc Tribunal and SCSL Victims and Witnesses Sections are neutral bodies which provide: • Recommendations for protective measures for victims and witnesses (ICTY Statute Art. 22) • Counselling and support services, in particular for victims of sexual offences; • Advice for investigators who interview victims and witnesses • Information services for witnesses re conduct of trials and role of witnesses in trials • Assistance in relocation of witnesses

  19. Victim ParticipationVictims and Witnesses Units Article 43 (The Registry) 6 The Registrar shall set up a Victims and Witnesses Unit within the Registry. This Unit shall provide, in consultation with the Office of the Prosecutor, 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 given by such witnesses. The Unit shall include staff with expertise in trauma, including trauma related to crimes of sexual violence

  20. Victim ParticipationReparations Article 75 (Reparations to victims) 1 The Court shall establish principles relating to reparations to, or in respect of, victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation. On this basis, in its decision the Court may, either upon request or on its own motion in exceptional circumstances, determine the scope and extent of any damage, loss and injury to, or in respect of, victims and will state the principles on which it is acting.

  21. Victim ParticipationReparations Article 75 2 The Court may make an order directly against a convicted person specifying appropriate reparations to, or in respect of, victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation. Where appropriate, the Court may order that the award for reparations be made through the Trust Fund provided for in article 79.

  22. Victim ParticipationReparations Article 75 3 Before making an order under this article, the Court may invite and shall take account of representations from or on behalf of the convicted person, victims, other interested persons or interested States.

  23. Victim ParticipationReparations Article 75 4. In exercising its power under this article, the Court may, after a person is convicted of a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court, determine whether, in order to give effect to an order which it may make under this article, it is necessary to seek measures under article 93, paragraph 1. (protection of victims and witnesses by States)

  24. Victim ParticipationMiscellaneous Article 79: establishment of a trust fund for the benefit of victims and their families, paid into through fines, etc Article 82(4): right of counsel for victims to appeal an order for reparations

  25. Victim ParticipationNice Conclusion • The ICC has made significant advances in protecting and recognizing the rights and interests of the victims of the world's worst crimes. The Rome Statute is sensitive to issues that relate to the role of victims as witnesses and as individuals who have experienced extremely traumatic events. In this way, the Rome Statute strengthens the position of the victim under international law and provides victims with much-needed opportunities for empowerment and agency. This represents a crucial step forward for victims of heinous crimes all over the world, who have historically been under-represented, if not forgotten by judicial systems.

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