Abstract:

Witness protection laws are essential safeguards in criminal justice systems worldwide, designed to shield witnesses from intimidation, threats, or harm so they can testify truthfully without fear. These programs enable fair prosecutions, particularly in organised crime, terrorism, or high-risk cases, by balancing witness safety with judicial transparency.

Core Purpose

Witness protection ensures witnesses can cooperate with investigations and courts, upholding the rule of law. It addresses retaliation risks through measures like relocation, identity changes, or secure testimony methods such as video links or voice distortion. International frameworks, like the UN Organised Crime Convention's Article 24, emphasise physical and procedural safeguards.

Key Measures

Programs offer tiered protections based on threat levels.

Physical security: Safe houses, police escorts, or relocation with new identities.

Procedural anonymity: Sealed records, closed courts, or in-camera trials.

Support services: Financial aid, counselling, and family inclusion for relocated witnesses.

Keywords:

Witness Protection, Criminal Justice System, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, UN Convention Against Corruption, Victim and Witness Rights

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Methods