Through the partnership of the ministries of Justice and Interior and other stakeholders, the ABA worked with a consultant to develop and validate a National Victim and Witness Protection Policy.
The policy paper proposed the establishment of a comprehensive National Victim and Witness Protection so as to address the need and align the country’s justice system in tandem with international standards.
At the event, Gbery Didier, head of Office, International Center for Transitional Justice, said that the protection of victims and witnesses forms an important mechanism in the fight against impunity, ensuring the preservation of the physical, moral, and intellectual integrity of victims and witnesses and strengthening of the state and reliable judicial system.
Didier also revealed that victims, in the case of sexual and gender-based violence often face substantial difficulties in obtaining the necessary documentation to substantiate their experiences or the safety to voluntarily testify before the court.
“This underlines the complex nature of pursuing accountability for human rights violations in traditional settings, where sometimes the most serious perpetrators still have the capacity to harm the victims and witnesses.” he pointed out.
Witness protection, he went on, is important to protect victims and witnesses and secure their collaboration to ensure the best possible results for criminal prosecution and guarantee justice for victims and strengthen the rule of law.
Sandra Ortega, Country Representative, American Bar Association, Rule of Law Initiative, said that their focus has been on the rule of law, advancing human rights, and strengthening judicial institutions as well as supporting professionals in advancing the understanding of law and the rights of the citizens and the public.
The victims and witnesses, she added, form the cornerstone of their justice process and protecting them is not only their professional responsibility, but also a moral obligation.
“Their safety, dignity, and trust in the system determines the success of our pursuit of justice and also the strength of our communities.”
Mbayang Njie, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, emphasised the importance of developing a strategy for implementing effective victims and witness protection.
She highlighted the need for government to set up mechanisms for the protection of victims and witnesses as highlighted in the Truth and Reconciliation Reparation Commission recommendation and in government’s White Paper.
“Effective victim and witness protection is a key integral part of the entire investigation processes from gathering information, reporting and advocacy,” DPS pointed out.
