24 September 2024
To ensure those involved in terrorist acts are brought to justice, it is paramount to have a strong, independent and effective criminal justice system set within a rule-of-law framework that respects human rights. It is an effective deterrent to terrorism and minimizes the risk of violations of fundamental human rights.
The Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law (CJ-RoL) Working Group, co-chaired by Italy and Nigeria, with the support of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), organized a side-event on the margins of the 24th Coordinating Committee Meeting that brought together representatives from governments, international organizations, and civil society. The side event was an opportunity to take stock of past achievements and outline the strategic priorities and goals set for the upcoming years.
The Working Group highlighted the Fair Trial Rights Survey Report developed with the support of the IIJ’s EU-funded CT PHARE project which provided an analysis of individual perceptions on the current state of fair trial rights globally and identified areas needing improvement. The Working Group also presented preliminary findings on the protection of witnesses and criminal justice officials which will form the basis for a GCTF Toolkit. This Toolkit, which aims to operationalize Good Practices 4 and 7 of the Hague Memorandum on Good Practices for the Judiciary in Adjudicating Terrorism Offenses, will provide practical guidelines and best practices for improving the safety and security of those involved in the criminal justice process during terrorism and organized crime proceedings.
Finally, the side event featured testimonials from criminal justice practitioners working in the counterterrorism field. These personal accounts illustrated the practical relevance and impact of the Working Group’s efforts, offering concrete examples of how the initiatives and strategies discussed are making a tangible difference on the ground.