The child in ICC proceedings / Helen Beckmann-Hamzei.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Beckmann-Hamzei, Helen, 1980- author.

Series:

School of Human Rights Research series ; v. 70.

School of Human Rights Research series ; volume 70

Language:

Dutch

English

Subjects (All):

Children (International law).

Child witnesses.

Children--Crimes against.

Children.

Children--Legal status, laws, etc.

Criminal procedure (International law).

International Criminal Court.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 293 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Intersentia, 2015.

System Details:

text file

PDF

Summary:

International law and state practice mirrors the recognition of children's particular need for protection during peacetime, but in situations in which international crimes are being committed the prosecution of international crimes committed against children before international courts and tribunals is also well embedded. While international prosecutions are thus in line with the overall development of protecting children from the consequences of armed conflict and large scale violence, the involvement of the child in international criminal proceedings also gives rise to new questions which relate to the procedural involvement of the child.As child participation in the proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) constitutes a matter of fact, one may raise the question whether such participation is a welcome development. This study examines the procedural implications of child participation and thereby intends to contribute legal views and perspectives to the underlying debate on the adequacy of child participation in ICC proceedings. The study concludes with ten recommendations that underline the call.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Introduction 3

1.1 Introductory observations on the child in international law 3

1.2 The child and the ICC 6

1.3 Research aim, statement of the problem and research questions 8

1.4 Terminology and concepts 11

1.4.1 The child in ICC proceedings 11

1.4.2 Childhood 13

1.4.3 The particular vulnerability of the child 15

1.4.4 The best interests of the child and child-sensitive procedures 16

1.4.5 The evolving capacities of the child 19

1.5 Methodology 20

1.5.1 Sources and approach 20

1.5.2 Relevance of human rights law in ICC proceedings 23

1.6 Structure of the thesis 26

Part I The Child in International Criminal Proceedings 29

Chapter 2 The Child Witness 31

2.1 Introduction 31

2.2 Child witnesses in international criminal proceedings 33

2.3 Rules governing witness testimony during trial proceedings 36

2.4 Ability to provide informed consent and the protection of the child witness 38

2.4.1 Informed consent of the child witness 38

2.4.2 Protection of the child witness 44

2.5 Credibility 52

2.5.1 Factors influencing the credibility of the child witness 53

2.5.1.1 Trustworthiness of the child witness 53

2.5.1.2 Impact of conflict situations and trauma 62

2.5.2 Measures enhancing credibility 67

2.5.2.1 Witness familiarisation 67

2.5.3.1 Age determination 71

2.6 Conclusion 77

Chapter 3 The Child Victim 79

3.1 Introduction 79

3.2 Views on victim participation 80

3.3 Child victim participation in ice practice 81

3.4 Application of victim requirements to the child 83

3.4.1 Natural person 85

3.4.2 Harm 85

3.4.3 The jurisdiction criterion 86

3.4.4 The causality criterion 87

3.4.5 The evidentiary standard used 88

3.5 Children applying for participation 91

3.5.1 Legal competence of the child to apply for participation 93

3.5.2 Child-specific evidence 99

3.5.3 Categories of child applicants 103

3.6 General modalities of participation 115

3.7 Child-specific modalities of participation: the representation of the child 118

3.7.1 General rules governing the representation of victims 118

3.7.2 Representation of the child 121

3.7.3 Children expressing their views and concerns in the courtroom 126

3.7.4 Legal aid for the representation of the child 133

3.8 Conclusion 135

Chapter 4 The Child Perpetrator and the Child of a(n) (alleged) Perpetrator 137

4.1 Introduction 137

4.2 Recruitment of child soldiers 138

4.3 Prosecuting the child 139

4.4 Being the child of a(n) (alleged) perpetrator 143

4.5 Conclusion 147

Part II The Child in International Reparation Practice 149

Chapter 5 The Child Claimant 151

5.1 Introduction 151

5.2 The child as beneficiary of the right to reparations 153

5.3 Rules and practice governing reparation proceedings 161

5.4 Children claiming reparations before the ICC: current and future challenges 169

5.4.1 Forms of reparations 174

5.4.2 Eligibility 188

5.4.3 Implementation 192

5.5 Conclusion 198

Part III Concluding and Comparative Evaluation 201

Chapter 6 Evaluation and Future Perspectives 203

6.1 Introduction 203

6.2 Evaluation 204

6.2.1 Legal capacity of the child 204

6.2.2 Informed consent of the child 207

6.2.3 Age of the child 209

6.2.4 Protection of the child 211

6.2.5 Credibility of the child 211

6.3 Principal relevance of child participation 213

6.4 Final recommendations and need for further research on child participation in international criminal and reparation proceedings 215.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Jan 2018).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9781780685496

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.