Title: The Prosecution Of International Crimes And The Role Of Victims’ Lawyers
Abstract: Victims are playing an increasingly important role in international criminal procedures. The role of victims' counsel can often be more decisive than that of their colleagues from the public prosecutor's office in bringing the suspects of international crimes to justice. During the different stages of the procedure: the investigation phase, the prosecution phase and, of course, procedures for compensation, the role of victims' lawyers can be challenging but also extremely exciting and rewarding. National and international judicial systems provide victims with the opportunity to have a voice, not only on reparation issues, but also on issues of jurisdiction, criminal responsibility, and even provisional or conditional liberty of the accused or convicted person. Being heard is essential for victims, to restore their dignity and to transform reparation into an issue of justice. Lawyers must therefore ensure that they are avid listeners of their clients' before simply speaking on their behalf. Keywords: Criminal Justice System; International Crimes; victims' lawyers