A/HRC/35/33
100. States are also encouraged to, as appropriate, provide technical assistance and
resources to States that may not have the institutional capacity for cross-border
investigations. The use of networks and organizations such as INTERPOL allow for
effective resource sharing to overcome an individual State’s lack of resources.
101. Law enforcement agents should learn which online tools (in particular,
information sharing networks) are available to them and support their use. These
databases and communication tools have proven to be indispensable in cross-border
cases.
102. States are encouraged to be receptive to and cooperate with civil society
organizations that help investigate cross-border cases. Civil society organizations are
often able to amass detailed dossiers on cases by using innovative methods, conducting
investigations in remote places where law enforcement may be unable to go, and
gaining the trust of certain witnesses. At the same time, those organizations should
take care to meet admissibility standards when collecting evidence and be careful not
to jeopardize official investigations, for instance by publicizing matters prematurely.
When organizations are instrumental in bringing cases, law enforcement should
consider maintaining a relationship with these organizations once official
investigations are under way, as the organizations could be helpful in obtaining
further evidence. States should also consider ways to better train organizations with
identifying crimes and securing evidence.
103. In any investigation or prosecution, all actors must ensure that the rights of
every person are respected and protected. Protections and care should be extended to
victims, witnesses and whistle-blowers to ensure no added harm occurs. Furthermore,
suspects should never be deprived of essential rights, particularly those relating to the
fair administration of justice.
21
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