PROTECTION OF WITNESSES IN CASES OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

Rad je rezultat istraživanja na projektu Pravnog fakulteta Univerziteta u Kragujevcu: „Usklađivanje pravnog sistema Srbije sa standardima Evropske unije”, koji se finansira iz sredstava Fakulteta.In this paper, the author deals with the problem of the protection of vulnerable categories of witnesses in the context of testimony at the main trial, all in terms of the right to a fair trial in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. One of the problems in the application of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights is related to witness statements in cases with elements of sexual abuse in criminal proceedings. The jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights has developed certain criteria that must be followed in national legislation, primarily following the Al-Khawaja and Tahery test. At the same time, the European Union Directive on the establishment of minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime 2012/29/EU is of particular importance in this field. After the introductory remarks, the author explains the relevant provisions of the aforementioned directive, and the Court's jurisprudence regarding the protection of witnesses in cases of sexual abuse.Publishe