UN: Good Practices for the Protection of Witnesses in Criminal Proceedings Involving Organized Crime

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: Good Practices for the Protection of Witnesses in Criminal Proceedings Involving Organized Crime, January 2008.

  • “The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols call upon State Parties to introduce appropriate measures to prevent witness intimidation, coercion, corruption or bodily injury, and to strengthen international cooperation in this regard. Often though, even where such measures have been legislated, implementation remains less than satisfactory and further progress is needed particularly with regard to cross-border cooperation especially regarding the change of identity and relocation of at-risk witnesses. Experience has shown that in witness protection there are no easy solutions. However this publication, developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime following a series of regional meetings with expert representatives from law enforcement, prosecutorial and judicial authorities, has been designed to assist and support Member States in the establishment and operation of effective witness protection programs. It provides a useful account of available measures and offers practical options suitable for adaptation and incorporation in the legal system, operational procedures and particular social, political and economic circumstances of Member States.”
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