SEMINAR ON WITNESS PROTECTION COMMENCES IN BAKU
An international seminar on the theme “Witness Protection” organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime commenced at the Training Center of the Azerbaijan Prosecutor General`s Office on November 20.
The project`s coordinators from USA, Italy, Turkey, Romania and Ukraine ar attending the event.
In his opening speech, First Deputy Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Rustam Usubov stressed the importance of such seminars in terms of increasing the effectiveness of fight against crime, which he said is getting more organized and “transnational” in the contemporary world.
He reminded of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power adopted by the UN General Assembly on 29 November 1985, describing it as a very progressive step towards protection of witnesses.
Usubov also mentioned the article 32 of the UN “Convention Against Corruption, Azerbaijan joined on 31 October 2003, which he said also dealt with protection of witnesses, experts and victims.
According to the convention, “Each State Party shall take appropriate measures in accordance with its domestic legal system and within its means to provide effective protection from potential retaliation or intimidation for witnesses and experts who give testimony concerning offences established in accordance with this Convention and, as appropriate, for their relatives and other persons close to them.”
The project coordinators delivered reports on various related topics. In their common opinion, the countries, in which legal institutions for witness protection were created, have achieved considerable progress in combating organized crime.
Speaking representatives of the Azerbaijan Prosecutor General`s Office and the ministries of National Security and the Interior mentioned that drawing on the experience of the developed countries, Azerbaijan has also created a legal basis for protection of those involved in a criminal case.
The seminar will last till 21 November.
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