LPSK Initiates Asean Cooperation In Protecting Victims And Witnesses

Kuta (Antara Bali) - The Witness and Victim Protection Institution (LPSK) has initiated close cooperation in protecting witnesses and victims of crimes at ASEAN regional level.

"The LPSK has taken the initiative to strengthen regional cooperation in protecting the witnesses and victims of crimes," LPSK Chief Semendawai announced after opening the second inter-regional Southeast Asia Nations meeting at Kuta on Tuesday.

The meeting was a follow up to a similar meeting held in the tourist island of Bali to form regional and inter-regional networks to identify possible areas of cooperation in protecting witnesses and victims of crimes.

At ASEAN level, witness and victim protection institution in each ASEAN member state will strengthen cooperation in developing models of legal assistance to protect witnesses and victims of crimes, he explained.

Semendawai noted that the meeting had focused on the protection of witnesses through more stable regional mechanism.

In addition, it had also discussed regional consultative board of ASEAN member states interested in the protection of witnesses and victims by drawing up the mandate of regional consultative board, exchanging information, and intensifying collaboration among agencies in charge of protecting witnesses and victims of crimes.

LPSK Deputy Chief Lies Sulistiyani added that ASEAN member states took common responsibilities for the protection of witnesses and victims, as the states had ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and UN Convention against Corruption. (WDY)