THE PROTECTION OF WITNESSES IN BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES TRIALS: A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF VICTIMS AND THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED?

In early war crimes trials such as in Nuremburg, documentary evidence was decisive in convicting the defendants. Witness evidence was of lesser importance.1 By contrast, in Bosnian war crimes trials the testimony of witnesses is essential, forming much of the evidential weight upon which the courts decisions are based. If witnesses are not found or if they are unwilling or unable to give evidence in court, trials are unlikely to proceed