Artículo 15. Para los efectos de esta ley, se entiende por víctimas de la violencia política, aquellas personas de la población civil que sufran perjuicios en su vida, o grave deterioro en su integridad personal o en sus bienes, por razón de a tentados terroristas, combates, secuestros, ataques y masacres en el marco del conflicto armado interno. Son víctimas los desplazados en los términos del artículo 1o. de la Ley 387 de 1997.
Así mismo, se entiende por víctima de la violencia política toda persona menor de edad que tome parte en las hostilidades.
ARTÍCULO 7o. El artículo 16 de la Ley 418 de 1997, prorrogada por la Ley 548 de 1999, quedará así:
Artículo 16. En desarrollo del principio de solidaridad social, y dado el daño especial sufrido por las víctimas, estas recibirán asistencia humanitaria, entendida por tal la ayuda indispensable para sufragar los requerimientos esenciales, a fin de satisfacer los derechos que hayan sido menoscabados por los actos enunciados en el artículo 15. Esta ayuda humanitaria será prestada por las entidades públicas así: Por la Red de Solidaridad Social, en desarrollo de su objeto legal y de acuerdo con las directrices que para el efecto señale su Consejo Directivo, y por las demás entidades públicas señaladas en la presente ley, dentro del marco de sus competencias, siempre que la solicitud se eleve dentro del año siguiente a la ocurrencia del hecho.
PARÁGRAFO 1o. En caso fuerza mayor o caso fortuito que impidan a la víctima presentar oportunamente la solicitud, el término a que se refiere la presente disposición debe contarse a partir del momento en que cesen los hechos motivo de tal impedimento.
ARTÍCULO 9o. El artículo 18 de la Ley 41 8 de 1997, prorrogada por la Ley 548 de 1999, quedará así:
Artículo 18. Cuando quiera que ocurra alguno de los eventos contemplados en el artículo 15 de la presente ley, la Alcaldía Municipal, la Personería Municipal, o la entidad que haga sus veces, deberá elaborar el censo de las personas afectadas en su vida, en su integridad personal o en sus bienes, que contenga como mínimo la identificación de la víctima, su ubicación y la descripción del hecho, y enviarlo a la Red de Solidaridad Social en un término no mayor a 8 días hábiles contados a partir de la ocurrencia del mismo.
ARTÍCULO 10. El artículo 19 de la Ley 418 de 1997, prorrogada por la Ley 548 de 1999, quedará así:
Artículo 19. Las instituciones hospitalarias, públicas o privadas, del territorio nacional, que prestan servicios de salud, tienen la obligación de prestar atención de manera inmediata a las víctimas de atentados terroristas, combates y masacres, ocasionadas en marco del conflicto armado interno, y que la requieran, con independencia de la capacidad socioeconómica de los demandantes de estos servicios y sin exigir condición previa para su admisión.
ARTÍCULO 26. El artículo 70 de la Ley 418 de 1997, prorrogada por la Ley 548 de 1999, quedará así:
Artículo 70. El funcionario judicial que adelanta la actuación, cualquier otro servidor público, o directamente el propio interesado, podrán solicitar a la Oficina de Protección de Víctimas y Testigos la vinculación de una persona determinada al Programa.
La petición será tramitada conforme al procedimiento que establezca dicha oficina, mediante resolución que expida el Fiscal General, a quien compete decidir sobre el fondo de la solicitud.
ARTÍCULO 28. El artículo 81 de la Ley 418 de 1997, prorrogada por la Ley 548 de 1999, quedará así:
Artículo 81. El Gobierno Nacional pondrá en funcionamiento un programa de protección a personas, que se encuentren en situación de riesgo inminente contra su vida, integridad, seguridad o libertad, por causas relacionadas con la violencia política o ideológica, o con el conflicto armado interno, y que pertenezcan a las siguientes categorías:
Dirigentes o activistas de grupos políticos y especialmente de grupos de oposición.
Dirigentes o activistas de organizaciones sociales, cívicas y comunales, gremiales, sindicales, campesinas y de grupos étnicos.
Dirigentes o activistas de las organizaciones de derechos humanos y los miembros de la Misión Médica.
Testigos de casos de violación a los derechos humanos y de infracción al derecho internacional humanitario, independientemente de que no se hayan iniciado los respectivos procesos disciplinarios, penales y administrativos, en concordancia con la normatividad vigente.
PARÁGRAFO 1o. Los interesados en ser acogidos por el programa de protección deben demostrar que existe conexidad directa entre la amenaza y el cargo, o la actividad que ejerce dentro de la organización.
PARÁGRAFO 2o. El programa de protección presentará al testigo a que hace mención el numeral 4 de este artículo cuando así lo soliciten las autoridades judiciales o disciplinarias, o permitirá a estas autoridades el acceso a él, para lo cual tomará las medidas de seguridad que requiera el caso.
PARÁGRAFO 3o. Las medidas de protección correspondientes a este programa serán de carácter temporal y sujetas a revisión periódica.
ARTÍCULO 29. El artículo 82 de la Ley 418 de 1997, prorrogada por la Ley 548 de 1999, quedará así:
Artículo 82. El programa de que trata el artículo anterior proporcionará a sus beneficiarios servicios y medios de protección, incluyendo cambio de domicilio y ubicación, pero no podrá dar lugar al cambio de su identidad.
PARÁGRAFO. Las medidas de protección serán de carácter temporal y sujetas a revisión periódica.
1. The Court shall take appropriate measures to protect the safety, physical and psychological well-being, dignity and privacy of victims and witnesses. In so doing, the Court shall have regard to all relevant factors, including age, gender as defined in article 7, paragraph 3, and health, and the nature of the crime, in particular, but not limited to, where the crime involves sexual or gender violence or violence against children. The Prosecutor shall take such measures particularly during the investigation and prosecution of such crimes. These measures shall not be prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights of the accused and a fair and impartial trial.
2. As an exception to the principle of public hearings provided for in article 67, the Chambers of the Court may, to protect victims and witnesses or an accused, conduct any part of the proceedings in camera or allow the presentation of evidence by electronic or other special means. In particular, such measures shall be implemented in the case of a victim of sexual violence or a child who is a victim or a witness, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, having regard to all the circumstances, particularly the views of the victim or witness.
3. Where the personal interests of the victims are affected, the Court shall permit their views and concerns to be presented and considered at stages of the proceedings determined to be appropriate by the Court and in a manner which is not prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights of the accused and a fair and impartial trial. Such views and concerns may be presented by the legal representatives of the victims where the Court considers it appropriate, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
4. The Victims and Witnesses Unit may advise the Prosecutor and the Court on appropriate protective measures, security arrangements, counselling and assistance as referred to in article 43, paragraph 6.
5. Where the disclosure of evidence or information pursuant to this Statute may lead to the grave endangerment of the security of a witness or his or her family, the Prosecutor may, for the purposes of any proceedings conducted prior to the commencement of the trial, withhold such evidence or information and instead submit a summary thereof. Such measures shall be exercised in a manner which is not prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights of the accused and a fair and impartial trial.
6. A State may make an application for necessary measures to be taken in respect of the protection of its servants or agents and the protection of confidential or sensitive information.
1. The Court shall establish principles relating to reparations to, or in respect of, victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation. On this basis, in its decision the Court may, either upon request or on its own motion in exceptional circumstances, determine the scope and extent of any damage, loss and injury to, or in respect of, victims and will state the principles on which it is acting.
2. The Court may make an order directly against a convicted person specifying appropriate reparations to, or in respect of, victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation. Where appropriate, the Court may order that the award for reparations be made through the Trust Fund provided for in article 79.
3. Before making an order under this article, the Court may invite and shall take account of representations from or on behalf of the convicted person, victims, other interested persons or interested States.
4. In exercising its power under this article, the Court may, after a person is convicted of a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court, determine whether, in order to give effect to an order which it may make under this article, it is necessary to seek measures under article 93, paragraph 1.
5. A State Party shall give effect to a decision under this article as if the provisions of article 109 were applicable to this article.
6. Nothing in this article shall be interpreted as prejudicing the rights of victims under national or international law.
1. A Trust Fund shall be established by decision of the Assembly of States Parties for the benefit of victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court, and of the families of such victims.
2. The Court may order money and other property collected through fines or forfeiture to be transferred, by order of the Court, to the Trust Fund.
3. The Trust Fund shall be managed according to criteria to be determined by the Assembly of States Parties.
1. Either party may appeal any of the following decisions in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence:
(a) A decision with respect to jurisdiction or admissibility;
(b) A decision granting or denying release of the person being investigated or prosecuted;
(c) A decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber to act on its own initiative under article 56, paragraph 3;
(d) A decision that involves an issue that would significantly affect the fair and expeditious conduct of the proceedings or the outcome of the trial, and for which, in the opinion of the Pre-Trial or Trial Chamber, an immediate resolution by the Appeals Chamber may materially advance the proceedings.
2. A decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber under article 57, paragraph 3 (d), may be appealed against by the State concerned or by the Prosecutor, with the leave of the Pre-Trial Chamber. The appeal shall be heard on an expedited basis.
3. An appeal shall not of itself have suspensive effect unless the Appeals Chamber so orders, upon request, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
4. A legal representative of the victims, the convicted person or a bona fide owner of property adversely affected by an order under article 75 may appeal against the order for reparations, as provided in the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
1. States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Part and under procedures of national law, comply with requests by the Court to provide the following assistance in relation to investigations or prosecutions:
(a) The identification and whereabouts of persons or the location of items;
(b) The taking of evidence, including testimony under oath, and the production of evidence, including expert opinions and reports necessary to the Court;
(c) The questioning of any person being investigated or prosecuted;
(d) The service of documents, including judicial documents;
(e) Facilitating the voluntary appearance of persons as witnesses or experts before the Court;
(f) The temporary transfer of persons as provided in paragraph 7;
(g) The examination of places or sites, including the exhumation and examination of grave sites;
(h) The execution of searches and seizures;
(i) The provision of records and documents, including official records and documents;
(j) The protection of victims and witnesses and the preservation of evidence;
(k) The identification, tracing and freezing or seizure of proceeds, property and assets and instrumentalities of crimes for the purpose of eventual forfeiture, without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties; and
(l) Any other type of assistance which is not prohibited by the law of the requested State, with a view to facilitating the investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.
2. The Court shall have the authority to provide an assurance to a witness or an expert appearing before the Court that he or she will not be prosecuted, detained or subjected to any restriction of personal freedom by the Court in respect of any act or omission that preceded the departure of that person from the requested State.
3. Where execution of a particular measure of assistance detailed in a request presented under paragraph 1, is prohibited in the requested State on the basis of an existing fundamental legal principle of general application, the requested State shall promptly consult with the Court to try to resolve the matter. In the consultations, consideration should be given to whether the assistance can be rendered in another manner or subject to conditions. If after consultations the matter cannot be resolved, the Court shall modify the request as necessary.
4. In accordance with article 72, a State Party may deny a request for assistance, in whole or in part, only if the request concerns the production of any documents or disclosure of evidence which relates to its national security.
5. Before denying a request for assistance under paragraph 1 (l), the requested State shall consider whether the assistance can be provided subject to specified conditions, or whether the assistance can be provided at a later date or in an alternative manner, provided that if the Court or the Prosecutor accepts the assistance subject to conditions, the Court or the Prosecutor shall abide by them.
6. If a request for assistance is denied, the requested State Party shall promptly inform the Court or the Prosecutor of the reasons for such denial.
(a) The Court may request the temporary transfer of a person in custody for purposes of identification or for obtaining testimony or other assistance. The person may be transferred if the following conditions are fulfilled:
(i) The person freely gives his or her informed consent to the transfer; and
(ii) The requested State agrees to the transfer, subject to such conditions as that State and the Court may agree.
(b) The person being transferred shall remain in custody. When the purposes of the transfer have been fulfilled, the Court shall return the person without delay to the requested State.
(a) The Court shall ensure the confidentiality of documents and information, except as required for the investigation and proceedings described in the request.
(b) The requested State may, when necessary, transmit documents or information to the Prosecutor on a confidential basis. The Prosecutor may then use them solely for the purpose of generating new evidence.
(c) The requested State may, on its own motion or at the request of the Prosecutor, subsequently consent to the disclosure of such documents or information. They may then be used as evidence pursuant to the provisions of Parts 5 and 6 and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
(i) In the event that a State Party receives competing requests, other than for surrender or extradition, from the Court and from another State pursuant to an international obligation, the State Party shall endeavour, in consultation with the Court and the other State, to meet both requests, if necessary by postponing or attaching conditions to one or the other request.
(ii) Failing that, competing requests shall be resolved in accordance with the principles established in article 90.
(b) Where, however, the request from the Court concerns information, property or persons which are subject to the control of a third State or an international organization by virtue of an international agreement, the requested States shall so inform the Court and the Court shall direct its request to the third State or international organization.
(a) The Court may, upon request, cooperate with and provide assistance to a State Party conducting an investigation into or trial in respect of conduct which constitutes a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court or which constitutes a serious crime under the national law of the requesting State.
(b)
(i) The assistance provided under subparagraph (a) shall include, inter alia:
a. The transmission of statements, documents or other types of evidence obtained in the course of an investigation or a trial conducted by the Court; and
b. The questioning of any person detained by order of the Court;
b. If the statements, documents or other types of evidence have been provided by a witness or expert, such transmission shall be subject to the provisions of article 68.
a. If the documents or other types of evidence have been obtained with the assistance of a State, such transmission shall require the consent of that State;
(ii) In the case of assistance under subparagraph (b) (i) a:
(c) The Court may, under the conditions set out in this paragraph, grant a request for assistance under this paragraph from a State which is not a Party to this Statute.
1. Victims participating in the proceedings in accordance with rules 89 to 91 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence shall enjoy the following privileges, immunities and facilities to the extent necessary for their appearance before the Court, including the time spent on journeys in connection with their appearance before the Court, subject to the production of the document referred to in paragraph 2 of this article:
(a) Immunity from personal arrest or detention;
(b) Immunity from seizure of their personal baggage unless there are serious grounds for believing that the baggage contains articles the import or export of which is prohibited by law or controlled by the quarantine regulations of the State Party concerned;
(c) Immunity from legal process of every kind in respect of words spoken or written and all acts performed by them in the course of their appearance before the Court, which immunity shall continue to be accorded even after their appearance before the Court;
(d) Exemption from immigration restrictions or alien registration when they travel to and from the Court for purposes of their appearance.
2. Victims participating in the proceedings in accordance with rules 89 to 91 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence who enjoy the privileges, immunities and facilities referred to in paragraph 1 of this article shall be provided by the Court with a document certifying their participation in the proceedings of the Court and specifying a time period for that participation.