PART III
BASIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES
The Right to Equality
13. Equality before the law
(6) To ensure equality before the law, the state authority shall make procedures which are appropriate or which take into account the following principles, namely :
(b) no person charged with a criminal offence shall be treated as guilty of the offence until proved guilty of that offence ;
PART III
BASIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES
The Right to Equality
13. Equality before the law
(6) To ensure equality before the law, the state authority shall make procedures which are appropriate or which take into account the following principles, namely :
(d) for the purposes of preserving the right or equality of human beings, human dignity shall be protected in all activities pertaining to criminal investigations and process, and in any other matters for which a person is restrained, or in the execution of a sentence ;
PART III
BASIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES
The Right to Life
15. (2) For the purposes of preserving individual freedom and the right to live as a free person, no person shall be arrested, imprisoned, confined, detained, deported or otherwise be deprived of his freedom save only
(a) under circumstances and in accordance with procedures prescribed by law ; or
(b) in the execution of a judgment, order or a sentence given or passed by the court following a decision in a legal proceeding or a conviction for a criminal offence.
PART II
PROCEDURE RELATING TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
B. - Powers and Duties of Police Officers when Investigating Offences
(c) Duties when Interviewing Suspects
52.-(1) Where a police officer suspects that a person may have committed a serious offence, or believes that information has been received by the police that may implicate a person in the commission of a serious offence, but that suspicion or belief is not such as would, under section 14, justify the arrest of the person without warrant, the police officer shall not ask him any questions, unless he has first informed him that he may refuse to answer any questions put to him by the police officer.
(2) A police officer who informs a person as provided under subsection (1) shall ask him to sign or thumb print an acknowledgement, in accordance with a prescribed form, of the fact that he has been so informed and of the date on which, and the time at which, he is so informed.
(3) Where it is necessary for a court, in any proceedings, to determine whether a police officer has informed a person as required by subsection (1), and an acknowledgement referred to in subsection (2) and signed by the person is not produced in evidence, the court shall assume, unless the contrary is proved, that the person was not so informed.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) to (3), where a police officer in the course of interrogating any person under this section believes that there is sufficient evidence to warrant that a person being charged with an offence, he shall proceed to charge him accordingly and caution him in writing and if practicable orally in the prescribed manner, and to inform him that an inference adverse to him may be drawn from his failure or refusal to answer any question or from his failure or refusal to disclose at that stage any matter which may be material to the charge.
53. Where a person is under restraint, a police officer shall not ask him any questions, or ask him to do anything, for a purpose connected with the investigation of an offence, unless–
(a) the police officer has told him his name and rank;
(b) the person has been informed by a police officer, in a language in which he is fluent, in writing and, if practicable, orally, of the fact that he is under restraint and of the offence in respect of which he is under restraint; and
(c) the person has been cautioned by a police officer in the following manner, namely, by informing him,or causing him to be informed, in a language in which he is fluent, in writing in accordance with the prescribed form and, if practicable, orally–
(i) that he is not obliged to answer any question asked of him by a police officer, other than a question seeking particulars of his name and address; and
(ii) that, subject to this Act, he may communicate with a lawyer, relative or friend.
54.-(1) Subject to subsection (2), a police officer shall, upon request by a person who is under restraint, cause reasonable facilities to be provided to enable the person to communicate with a lawyer, a relative or friend of his choice.
(2) A police officer may refuse under subsection (1) for the provision of facilities for communicating with a person being a relative or friend of a person under restraint, if the police officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to prevent the person under restraint from communicating with the person for the purpose of preventing–
the escape of an accomplice of the person under restraint; or
the loss, destruction or fabrication of evidence relating to the offence.
55.-(1) A person shall, while under restraint, be treated with humanity and with respect for human dignity.
(2) No person shall, while under restraint, be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
(3) Where a person under restraint–
(a) makes a request to a police officer to be provided with medical treatment, advice or assistance in respect of an illness or an injury; or
(b) appears to the police officer to require medical treatment, advice or assistance in respect of illness or injury,
the police officer shall forthwith take such reasonable action as is necessary to ensure that the person is provided with medical treatment, advice or assistance.
56.-(1) A police officer in charge of investigating an offence in respect of which a child is under restraint shall, forthwith after the child is placed under restraint, cause a parent or guardian of the child to be informed that he is under restraint and of the offence for which he is under restraint.
(2) In this section "child" means a person who has not attained the age of sixteen years.
PART VI
TRIALS
GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO TRIALS
B. - Trials Generally
(c) Accelerated Trial and Disposal of Cases
192.-(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 229, if an accused person pleads not guilty the court shall as soon as is convenient, hold a preliminary hearing in open court in the presence of the accused or his advocate (if he is represented by an advocate) and the public prosecutor to consider such matters as are not in dispute between the parties and which will promote a fair and expeditious trial.
(2) In ascertaining such matters that are not in dispute the court shall explain to an accused who is not represented by an advocate about the nature and purpose of the preliminary hearing and may put questions to the parties as it thinks fit; and the answers to the questions may be given without oath or affirmation.
(3) At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing held under this section, the court shall prepare a memorandum of the matters agreed and the memorandum shall be read over and explained to the accused in a language that he understands, signed by the accused and his advocate (if any) and by the public prosecutor, and then filed.
(4) Any fact or document admitted or agreed (whether such fact or document is mentioned in the summary of evidence or not) in a memorandum filed under this section shall be deemed to have been duly proved; save that if, during the course of the trial, the court is of the opinion that the interests of justice so demand, the court may direct that any fact or document admitted or agreed in a memorandum filed under this section be formally proved.
(5) Wherever possible, the accused person shall be tried immediately after the preliminary hearing
and if the case is to be adjourned due to the absence of witnesses or any other cause, nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the same judge or magistrate who held the preliminary hearing under this section to preside at the trial.
(6) The Minister may, after consultation with the Chief Justice, by order published in the Gazette make rules for the better carrying out of the purposes of this section and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the rules may provide for–
(a) delaying the summoning of witnesses until it is ascertained whether they will be required to give evidence on the trial or not;
(b) the giving of notice to witnesses warning them that they may be required to attend court to give evidence at the trial.
PART VII
PROCEDURE IN TRIALS BEFORE SUBORDINATE COURTS
(a) Provisions relating to the Hearing and Determination of Cases
231.-(1) At the close of the evidence in support of the charge, if it appears to the court that a case is made against the accused person sufficiently to require him to make a defence either in relation to the offence with which he is charged or in relation to any other offence of which, under the provisions of sections 300 to 309 of this Act, he is liable to be convicted the court shall again explain the substance of the charge to the accused and inform him of his right–
(a) to give evidence whether or not on oath or affirmation, on his own behalf; and
(b) to call witness in his defence,
and shall then ask the accused person or his advocate if it is intended to exercise any of the above rights and shall record the answer; and the court shall then call on the accused person to enter on his defence save where the accused person does not wish to exercise any of those rights.
(2) Notwithstanding that an accused person elects to give evidence not on oath or affirmation, he shall be subject to cross-examination by the prosecution.
(3) If the accused, after he has been informed in terms of subsection (1), elects to remain silent the court shall be entitled to draw an adverse inference against him and the court as well as the prosecution shall be permitted to comment on the failure by the accused to give evidence.
(4) If the accused person states that he has witnesses to call but that they are not present in court, and the court is satisfied that the absence of such witnesses is not due to any fault or neglect of the accused person and that there is likelihood that they could, if present, give material evidence on behalf of the accused person, the court may adjourn the trial and issue process or take other steps to compel attendance of such witnesses.
PART VIII
PROCEDURE IN TRIALS BEFORE THE HIGH COURT
(g) Case for the Defence
294.-(1) The accused person or his advocate may then open his case stating the fact or law on which he intends to rely, and making such comments as he thinks necessary on the evidence for the prosecution.
(2) The accused person may then give evidence on his own behalf and he or his advocate may examine his witnesses, if any, and after their cross-examination or re-examination, if any, may sum up his case.
295.-(1) In addition to the witnesses summoned pursuant to the provisions of section 263 the accused shall be allowed to examine any witness who is in attendance at the trial.
(2) The accused person shall not be entitled as of right to have any witness summoned other than the witnesses whose names and address were given by him to the magistrate at the committal proceedings but any subordinate court may, after committal for trial and before the trial begins, and the court of trial may, either before or during the trial, issue a summons for the attendance of any person as a witness for the defence if the court is satisfied that the evidence is in any way material to the case.
296. If the person, or any one of several accused persons, adduces any evidence, the prosecutor shall be entitled to reply subject to the provisions of section 201.
297. If the accused person says that he does not wish to give or adduce evidence and the court considers that there is evidence that he committed the offence, the advocate for the prosecution shall then sum up the case against the accused person and the court shall then call on the accused person, personally or by his advocate, to address the court.
1. En las investigaciones realizadas de conformidad con el presente Estatuto:
(a) Nadie será obligado a declarar contra sí mismo ni a declararse culpable;
(b) Nadie será sometido a forma alguna de coacción, intimidación o amenaza, a torturas ni a otros tratos o castigos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes;
(c) Quien haya de ser interrogado en un idioma que no sea el que comprende y habla perfectamente contará, sin cargo alguno, con los servicios de un intérprete competente y las traducciones que sean necesarias a los efectos de cumplir el requisito de equidad; y
(d) Nadie será sometido a arresto o detención arbitrarios ni será privado de su libertad salvo por los motivos previstos en el presente Estatuto y de conformidad con los procedimientos establecidos en él.
2. Cuando haya motivos para creer que una persona ha cometido un crimen de la competencia de la Corte y esa persona haya de ser interrogada por el Fiscal o por las autoridades nacionales, en cumplimiento de una solicitud hecha de conformidad con lo dispuesto en la Parte IX, tendrá además los derechos siguientes, de los que será informada antes del interrogatorio:
(a) A ser informada de que existen motivos para creer que ha cometido un crimen de la competencia de la Corte;
(b) A guardar silencio, sin que ello pueda tenerse en cuenta a los efectos de determinar su culpabilidad o inocencia;
(c) A ser asistida por un abogado defensor de su elección o, si no lo tuviere, a que se le asigne un defensor de oficio, siempre que fuere necesario en interés de la justicia y, en cualquier caso, sin cargo si careciere de medios suficientes; y
(d) A ser interrogada en presencia de su abogado, a menos que haya renunciado voluntariamente a su derecho a asistencia letrada.
1. El acusado estará presente durante el juicio.
2. Si el acusado, estando presente en la Corte, perturbare continuamente el juicio, la Sala de Primera Instancia podrá disponer que salga de ella y observe el proceso y dé instrucciones a su defensor desde fuera, utilizando, en caso necesario, tecnologías de comunicación. Esas medidas se adoptarán únicamente en circunstancias excepcionales, después de que se haya demostrado que no hay otras posibilidades razonables y adecuadas, y únicamente durante el tiempo que sea estrictamente necesario.
1. Se presumirá que toda persona es inocente mientras no se pruebe su culpabilidad ante la Corte de conformidad con el derecho aplicable.
2. Incumbirá al Fiscal probar la culpabilidad del acusado.
3. Para dictar sentencia condenatoria, la Corte deberá estar convencida de la culpabilidad del acusado más allá de toda duda razonable.
1. En la determinación de cualquier cargo, el acusado tendrá derecho a ser oído públicamente, habida cuenta de las disposiciones del presente Estatuto, y a una audiencia justa e imparcial, así como a las siguientes garantías mínimas en pie de plena igualdad:
(a) A ser informado sin demora y en forma detallada, en un idioma que comprenda y hable perfectamente, de la naturaleza, la causa y el contenido de los cargos que se le imputan;
(b) A disponer del tiempo y de los medios adecuados para la preparación de su defensa y a comunicarse libre y confidencialmente con un defensor de su elección;
(c) A ser juzgado sin dilaciones indebidas;
(d) Con sujeción a lo dispuesto en el párrafo 2 del artículo 63, el acusado tendrá derecho a hallarse presente en el proceso y a defenderse personalmente o ser asistido por un defensor de su elección; a ser informado, si no tuviera defensor, del derecho que le asiste a tenerlo y, siempre que el interés de la justicia lo exija, a que se le nombre defensor de oficio, gratuitamente si careciere de medios suficientes para pagarlo;
(e) A interrogar o hacer interrogar a los testigos de cargo y a obtener la comparecencia de los testigos de descargo y que éstos sean interrogados en las mismas condiciones que los testigos de cargo. El acusado tendrá derecho también a oponer excepciones y a presentar cualquier otra prueba admisible de conformidad con el presente Estatuto;
(f) A ser asistido gratuitamente por un intérprete competente y a obtener las traducciones necesarias para satisfacer los requisitos de equidad, si en las actuaciones ante la Corte o en los documentos presentados a la Corte se emplea un idioma que no comprende y no habla;
(g) A no ser obligado a declarar contra sí mismo ni a declararse culpable y a guardar silencio, sin que ello pueda tenerse en cuenta a los efectos de determinar su culpabilidad o inocencia;
(h) A declarar de palabra o por escrito en su defensa sin prestar juramento; y
(i) A que no se invierta la carga de la prueba ni le sea impuesta la carga de presentar contrapruebas.
2. Además de cualquier otra divulgación de información estipulada en el presente Estatuto, el Fiscal divulgará a la defensa, tan pronto como sea posible, las pruebas que obren en su poder o estén bajo su control y que, a su juicio, indiquen o tiendan a indicar la inocencia del acusado, o a atenuar su culpabilidad, o que puedan afectar a la credibilidad de las pruebas de cargo. En caso de duda acerca de la aplicación de este párrafo, la Corte decidirá.