Accountability Through the Specialized Criminal Chambers The Investigation and Prosecution of Gross Human Rights Violations Under Tunisian and International Law Practical Guide 2 Composed of 60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) promotes and protects human rights through the Rule of Law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952 and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation of international human rights and international humanitarian law; secure the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights; safeguard the separation of powers; and guarantee the independence of the judiciary and legal profession. ® Accountability Through the Specialized Criminal Chambers The Investigation and Prosecution of Gross Human Rights Violations Under Tunisian and International Law - Practical Guide 2 © Copyright International Commission of Jurists Published in December 2020 The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) permits free reproduction of extracts from any of its publications provided that due acknowledgment is given and a copy of the publication carrying the extract is sent to their headquarters at the following address: International Commission of Jurists P.O. Box 1270 Rue des Buis 3 1211 Geneva 1 Switzerland t: +41 22 979 38 00 www.icj.org Photo credit: HATEM SALHI/AFP via Getty Images. Accountability Through the Specialized Criminal Chambers The Investigation and Prosecution of Gross Human Rights Violations Under Tunisian and International Law Practical Guide No. 2 December 2020 ICJ Practical Guide No.2 | 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................... 3 TABLE OF STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE ...................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 6 2. THE DUTY TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ........ 9 a. International law and standards .............................................................................................. 9 i. The duty to investigate and prosecute gross human rights violations ................................................ 9 ii. The conduct of investigations ............................................................................................................ 10 a) Prompt .......................................................................................................................................... 12 b) Effective and thorough ................................................................................................................. 12 c) Impartial and independent ........................................................................................................... 14 d) Transparent................................................................................................................................... 16 iii. The role of the Prosecutor ................................................................................................................. 17 b. Tunisian Law ...................................................................................................................... 19 i. General Criminal Procedure .............................................................................................................. 19 a) The duty to investigate crimes ...................................................................................................... 19 b) The conduct of Investigations ....................................................................................................... 19 (1) Investigation by the OPP and investigative judges .................................................................. 20 (2) The preparation of indictments and initiation of prosecutions ............................................... 21 (3) Complementary investigations at trial ..................................................................................... 21 c) The role of the Prosecutor ............................................................................................................ 21 ii. Transitional Justice Framework ......................................................................................................... 22 a) The duty to investigate crimes ...................................................................................................... 22 b) The conduct of investigations and rights of the accused ............................................................. 23 (1) Investigation by the IVD Investigation Committee .................................................................. 23 (2) The preparation of indictments and initiation of prosecutions ............................................... 24 c) The role of the Prosecutor ............................................................................................................ 25 3. THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED DURING INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS ............. 26 a. International law and standards ............................................................................................ 26 i. Pre-trial rights .................................................................................................................................... 28 a) The right to liberty and to be brought promptly before a judge .................................................. 28 b) The right to be promptly informed of the charges ....................................................................... 29 c) The right to legal counsel and to confidential communications ................................................... 30 d) The right to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence ................................................... 31 e) The right to be tried without undue delay ................................................................................... 32 f) The presumption of innocence ..................................................................................................... 34 ii. The rights of the accused during trial ................................................................................................ 35 a) The right to trial by an independent, impartial, and competent court ........................................ 35 b) The right to a public hearing ......................................................................................................... 37 c) The right to be tried in one’s presence ......................................................................................... 38 d) The right to defend oneself in person or through legal counsel .................................................. 40 e) The right to call and examine witnesses ....................................................................................... 41 f) The right not to be compelled to incriminate oneself and to remain silent ................................. 43 ICJ Practical Guide No.2 | 2 g) The right to appeal ........................................................................................................................ 44 b. Tunisian law ....................................................................................................................... 45 i. General Criminal Procedure .............................................................................................................. 45 a) Pre-trial rights ............................................................................................................................... 45 (1) The right to liberty and to be brought promptly before a judge ............................................. 45 (2) The right to be promptly informed of the charges .................................................................. 46 (3) The right to legal counsel and to confidential communications .............................................. 46 (4) The right to adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence .............................................. 46 (5) The right to be tried without undue delay ............................................................................... 47 (6) The presumption of innocence ................................................................................................ 47 b) Trial rights ..................................................................................................................................... 47 (1) The right to be tried in one’s presence .................................................................................... 47 (2) The right to defend oneself in person or through legal counsel .............................................. 48 (3) The right to call and examine witnesses .................................................................................. 49 (4) The right not to be compelled to incriminate oneself and to remain silent ............................ 49 (5) Right of appeal and review ...................................................................................................... 50 ii. Transitional Justice Framework ......................................................................................................... 51 a) Pre-trial rights ..............................................................................................................................