UIA Comments to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC Draft Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender Based Crimes

On February 7, 2014, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) published a Draft General Policy Document on sexual and sexist crimes, inviting comments on the draft.

In a letter dated February 23, 2014 the UIA had shared its observations, especially about the involvement of legal representatives of victims and witnesses, both during the inquiry and at the start of proceedings and during the  trial.

Raising the key role played by legal representatives in safeguarding the victims’ unique and specific  interests and  their safety and well-being, the UIA stressed, in particular, the importance of including legal representatives in discussions related to protective measures for the victims whom they represent, especially when those individuals  are called upon to appear before the judge, either as victims or prosecution witnesses.

We invite you to read the text of the letter in its entirety.

Please click here for further information on the draft.