04 August 1999

[Poor audio] Second part of footage from a panel on "Perspectives from the Tribunals," organized by the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice as part of the 2nd Preparatory Commission for the International Criminal Court in August 1999. Panelists were Wendy Lobwein, a support officer in the victim-witness unit at the ICTY; Francoise Ngendahayo, advisor on gender issues and assistance to victims in the ICTR; the Hon. Elizabeth Odio-Benito, Vice-President of Costa Rica and a former judge at the ICTY; and Dr. Sara Sharratt, a former NGO Observer at the ICTY. Dr. Yael Danieli, of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the Group Project for Holocaust Survivors and their Children, moderated. Annette Lyth served as rapporteur. Continuation of presentation by Wendy Lobwein, discussing the work of the Victim and Witness unit of the ICTY. Lobwein talks about some of the emerging issues that they are exploring, including witness preparation, legal privilege, and legal advice. She then describes a 2-year study to find a means for witnesses to evaluate the services of the unit. Yael Danieli then opens to floor to questions. An audience member asks Lobwein for more information on the study, specifically on the inclusion of children born from rape. Françoise Ngendahayo then fields a question about providing legal advice to witnesses. An audience member asks about procedures, and a woman explains that the procedures followed by judges in the former Yugoslavia are different than the US and is therefore unsure how the trials will proceed. Elizabeth Odio Benito states that procedures must be clearly articulated. Ngendahayo adds that they will try to find the right structure.