Hailed by local and international HR champions:

Witness Protection Bill to compensate crime victims

The Witness Protection Bill now before Parliament proposes a special fund to compensate victims of crime and also the setting up of a special division under the IGP to provide speedy assistance to victims in need, official sources said.

The Bill titled, “Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses” drafted by the Justice Ministry in keeping with the LLRC recommendations has been hailed by local and international human rights champions.

The sources said the Bill which was challenged in the Supreme Court claiming that it was against Article 121 (1) of the Constitution, has now been cleared by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court conveyed to Parliament last week that it was consistent with the Constitution. However, it proposed a few amendments to the original Bill.

The Bill also proposes to create new offences that may be committed against victims of crime and witnesses and the establishment of a mechanism to inquire into the complaints of harassment and violation of their rights.

It will also recognise and set out the rights of victims of crime and witnesses.

A new agency will be set up to administer the provisions of the Bill.

MF