A/HRC/15/33 Contents Paragraphs Page I Introduction............................................................................................................. 1–5 4 II. Protection of witnesses, victims and others concerned under international law and jurisprudence ........................................................................ 6–18 5 A. Human rights legal framework ....................................................................... 6–10 5 B. International criminal law framework ............................................................ 11–12 6 C. Practice and jurisprudence at the international and regional levels ................ 13–18 7 Programmes and measures for protecting witnesses and victims............................ 19–41 9 A. Protection of witnesses at the investigation phase.......................................... 20–22 9 B. Courtroom measures for the protection of witnesses and victims .................. 23–24 9 C. Formal witness protection programmes.......................................................... 25–38 10 D. Inter-State cooperation and regional initiatives .............................................. 39–41 12 Key elements of a witness protection programme within the framework of criminal procedures related to gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law .............................................. 42–65 13 A. Issues to be addressed in the law .................................................................... 42–61 13 B. Special measures for child witnesses and victims of sexual and gender-based violence.............................................................................. 62 17 Some key operational issues........................................................................... 63–65 17 Conclusion and recommendations .......................................................................... 66–71 18 III. IV. C. V. GE.10-15173 3