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Decision on Rescinding Protective Measures - 14.11.2016 KAMUHANDA Jean de Dieu
(MICT-13-33)

9. Pursuant to Rule 86(F)(i) of the Rules, protective measures ordered before the ICTY, the ICTR, or the Mechanism (“first proceedings”), continue to have effect in any other proceedings before the Mechanism (“second proceedings”) unless and until they are rescinded, varied or augmented. The Appeals Chamber observes that Kamuhanda requested rescission of protective measures granted to a witness in his own case and, therefore, the Single Judge became seised of the “first proceedings”. In contrast, Rules 86(F)(i), 86(H) and 86(I) of the Rules which form the basis of the Impugned Decision, govern the continuation of protective measures in a “second proceedings” and the conditions for their rescission upon a request from a party to the “second proceedings”, a domestic jurisdiction, or a protected victim or witness.

10. Since Kamuhanda is a party to the “first proceedings” seeking rescission of protective measures in his own case, neither Rule 86(F)(i) nor Rule 86(H), and consequently Rule 86(I) of the Rules, apply in relation to Kamuhanda’s request. Notwithstanding, the Appeals Chamber considers that it was within the Single Judge’s discretion to take into account the conditions for rescission of protective measures set out in Rule 86(I) of the Rules, as the consent of the witness concerned, the existence of exigent circumstances or the potential for a miscarriage of justice may be relevant factors in balancing the interests of the convicted person and the need for the continued protection of victims and witnesses.[1] However, the conditions set out in Rule 86(I) of the Rules are not required as a matter of law in the circumstances of this case where a party is seeking the modification of protective measures granted to one of its witnesses in its own case.

11. The Appeals Chamber further recalls that, pursuant to Rule 86(A) of the Rules, a Chamber may, at the request of either party, order appropriate measures for the privacy and protection of victims and witnesses.[2] Rule 86(A) of the Rules is applicable mutatis mutandis to matters of rescission or variation of protective measures sought by a party in its own case.[3] In assessing whether protective measures should be rescinded or varied under Rule 86(A) of the Rules, a Chamber should take into consideration any information relevant to the requested modification. In such cases, the consent of the witness is not necessarily required if the Chamber is otherwise satisfied that the modification or rescission is justified in the circumstances of the case.

[1] See Impugned Decision [Prosecutor v. Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, Case No. MICT-13-33, Decision on Motion to Rescind Protective Measures for Defence Witness ALM, 29 March 2016], p. 3. The Appeals Chamber notes that, although the Impugned Decision contains a reference to Rule 86(J) of the Rules (see Impugned Decision, p. 2), no finding was entered by the Single Judge pursuant to this Rule.

[2] See also Rule 2(C) of the Rules.

[3] See The Prosecutor v. François Karera, Case No. ICTR-01-74, Decision Rescinding the Protective Measures of Witness BMI, 27 September 2011, paras. 5, 6; Prosecutor v. Milan Milutinović et al., Case No. IT-05-87-T, Order on Rescission of Protective Measures in relation to Witness Ljubinko Cvetić, 7 December 2006, paras. 1, 2. See also Prosecutor v. Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, Case No. ICTR-99-54-T, Decision on Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda’s Motion for Protective Measures for Defence Witnesses, 22 March 2001(“Protective Measures Decision”), para. 24 (where the Trial Chamber noted that Kamuhanda could seek at any time variation or augmentation of the protective measures granted to the potential witnesses, including Witness ALM).

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IRMCT Rule Rule 86