![]() ![]() In Europe, several countries, including the UK, have relied on the use of Crown witnesses to fight organized crime. Both of these countries operate similar federal programs, coexisting with those set up by individual provinces or states. Footnote 1 Footnote 2 WITSEC has become a model for many jurisdictions, including Canada and Australia. Its core feature is the secret and permanent relocation, often coupled with an identity change, offered to witnesses and their immediate families. For over 30 years, the US Marshals Service has been operating the WITSEC program. The US Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC) was the first witness protection program, and has served as a model for other countries. Effective protection of witnesses, victims,and collaborators with justice includes legislative and practical measures to ensure that witnesses can testify freely and without intimidation: the criminalization of acts of intimidation, the use of alternative methods of providing evidence, physical protection, relocation programs prior to and during the criminal proceedings, permitting limitations on the disclosure of information concerning the identity or whereabouts, and in exceptional situations, protecting the anonymity of the individual giving evidence. The paper also reviews approaches to witness protection adopted in international fora, such as the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe.Įach reviewed country has established special measures to assist vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. This paper reviews the practices and outcomes of witness protection programs using open source literature on the legislation and practices followed in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) and compares them with both federal and provincial programs in Canada.Įach country reviewed has established legislation and criteria for acceptance and retention of protected witnesses. For these reasons, witness protection programs must have a good foundation in legislation or policy. ![]() ![]() It may even have implications for third parties. It can also lead to a serious disruption of the lifestyle of the witness and any persons accompanying them into the program. Witness protection provides a space in which individual traumas may be treated and enables a victim/witness to regain more control over their life. They offer the hope of accountability and give threatened witnesses a way to seek shelter from the scene of victimization. They provide opportunities for victims and witnesses to participate in a criminal process with the expectation that they and their families will not be put in danger. Witness protection programs serve many purposes. Experience shows, however, that individuals are not willing unless they have confidence that the State will protect their rights and safety as well as those of their immediate family. Traditional witness protection focuses on the safety of the witness. 43 PDF Version (228 KB)Įffective witness protection is a cornerstone of the criminal justice system in the fight against organized crime. Witness Protection Programs in Selected Countries - Research Brief no. Service Standards for Transfer Payment Programs.Memorial Grant Program for First Responders.Forced Labour in Canadian Supply Chains.Child Sexual Exploitation on the Internet.Preclearance in Canada and the United States. ![]()
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