Chapter 8—Offences against humanity and related offences
Division 268—Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes against the administration of the justice of the International Criminal Court
Subdivision K—Miscellaneous
268.123 Legal representation
The provisions of section 12 (other than subsection 12(2)) of the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 apply in relation to the trial of a person for an offence against this Division in the same way as they apply in relation to the trial of a protected prisoner of war.
Chapter 2—General principles of criminal responsibility
Part 2.6—Proof of criminal responsibility
Division 13
13.1 Legal burden of proof—prosecution
(1) The prosecution bears a legal burden of proving every element of an offence relevant to the guilt of the person charged.
Note: See section 3.2 on what elements are relevant to a person's guilt.
(2) The prosecution also bears a legal burden of disproving any matter in relation to which the defendant has discharged an evidential burden of proof imposed on the defendant.
(3) In this Code:
legal burden, in relation to a matter, means the burden of proving the existence of the matter.
Chapter 2—General principles of criminal responsibility
Part 2.6—Proof of criminal responsibility
Division 13
13.3 Evidential burden of proof—defence
(1) Subject to section 13.4, a burden of proof that a law imposes on a defendant is an evidential burden only.
(2) A defendant who wishes to deny criminal responsibility by relying on a provision of Part 2.3 (other than section 7.3) bears an evidential burden in relation to that matter.
(3) A defendant who wishes to rely on any exception, exemption, excuse, qualification or justification provided by the law creating an offence bears an evidential burden in relation to that matter. The exception, exemption, excuse, qualification or justification need not accompany the description of the offence.
(4) The defendant no longer bears the evidential burden in relation to a matter if evidence sufficient to discharge the burden is adduced by the prosecution or by the court.
(5) The question whether an evidential burden has been discharged is one of law.
(6) In this Code:
evidential burden, in relation to a matter, means the burden of adducing or pointing to evidence that suggests a reasonable possibility that the matter exists or does not exist.
12 Legal representation of prisoners of war
(1) The court before which a protected prisoner of war is brought up
for trial for an offence shall not proceed with the trial unless:
(a) the accused is represented by counsel; and
(b) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that a period of not
less than 14 days has elapsed since instructions for the representation of the accused at the trial were first given to
the solicitor by whom that counsel was instructed;
and if the court adjourns the trial for the purpose of enabling the
requirements of this subsection to be complied with, then,
notwithstanding anything in any other law, the court may remand
the accused for the period of the adjournment.
(2) In the absence of counsel accepted by the accused as representing
him or her, counsel instructed for the purpose on behalf of the
protecting power shall, without prejudice to the requirements of
paragraph (1)(b), be regarded for the purposes of that subsection as
representing the accused.
(3) If the court adjourns the trial in pursuance of subsection (1) by
reason that the accused is not represented by counsel, the court
shall direct that a solicitor and counsel be assigned to watch over
the interests of the accused at any further proceedings in
connection with the offence, and at any such further proceedings,
in the absence of counsel either accepted by the accused as
representing him or her or instructed as mentioned in
subsection (2), counsel assigned in pursuance of this subsection
shall, without prejudice to the requirements of paragraph (1)(b), be
regarded for the purposes of subsection (1) as representing the
accused.
(4) In relation to any proceedings before a court before which the
accused may be represented by a solicitor, subsections (1), (2) and
(3) shall be construed, with any necessary modifications, as if
references in those provisions to counsel were references to
counsel or a solicitor; and for the purposes of any such proceedings
the court, in giving a direction under subsection (3), may, if the
court is satisfied that the nature of the charge and the interests of
justice do not require that the interests of the accused should be
watched over by counsel, direct that a solicitor only shall be
assigned as mentioned in that subsection.
(5) A solicitor or counsel shall be assigned in pursuance of
subsection (3) in such manner as is provided by the regulations or,
in the absence of provision in the regulations, as the court directs,
and the fees and costs of any solicitor or counsel so assigned shall
be paid by the Commonwealth.
''Schedule 4—Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949 PART I.—GENERAL PROVISIONS, ARTICLE 5''
In each case, such persons shall nevertheless be treated with humanity, and in case of trial, shall not be deprived of the rights of fair and regular trial prescribed by the present Convention. They shall also be granted the full rights and privileges of a protected person under the present Convention at the earliest date consistent with the security of the State or Occupying Power, as the case may be.
''Schedule 4—Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, SECTION III.—OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, ARTICLE 71''
No sentence shall be pronounced by the competent courts of the Occupying Power except after a regular trial.
Schedule 1—Amendment of the Criminal Code Act 1995
Chapter 8—Offences against humanity and related offences
Division 268—Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes against the administration of the justice of the International Criminal Court
Subdivision K—Miscellaneous
268.123 Legal representation
The provisions of section 12 (other than subsection 12(2)) of the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 apply in relation to the trial of a person for an offence against this Division in the same way as they apply in relation to the trial of a protected prisoner of war.
Part 4—Other requests by ICC
Division 6—Questioning of person being investigated or prosecuted
71 Procedure where person questioned
(1) Before a person is questioned under section 70, the person must be informed that there are grounds to believe that he or she has committed a crime within the jurisdiction of the ICC and that he or she has the following rights:
(a) the right to remain silent without such silence being a consideration in the determination of guilt or innocence;
(b) the right to have legal assistance of his or her choosing or, if he or she does not have legal assistance, to have legal assistance assigned to him or her in any case where the interests of justice so require and without payment by him or her in such a case if he or she does not have sufficient means to pay for the assistance;
(c) the right to have his or her legal representative present when he or she is questioned unless he or she has voluntarily waived that right.
(2) If there is any inconsistency between subsection (1) and any other Australian law, subsection (1) prevails.
(3) This section does not give to any person a power to require anotherperson to answer questions.
Part 6—Search, seizure and powers of arrest
Division 4—Arrest and related matters
131 Persons to be informed of grounds of arrest
(1) A person who arrests another person under this Act or pursuant to a warrant issued under this Act must inform the other person, at the time of the arrest, of the crime in respect of which, or, if the other person is arrested under section 182, the reason for which, the other person is being arrested.
(2) It is sufficient if the other person is informed of the substance of the crime or reason, and it is not necessary that this be done in language of a precise or technical nature.
An Act to provide for the Trial and Punishment of War Criminals
Preamble
WHEREAS:
(c) it is also essential in the interests of justice that persons so accused be given a fair trial with all the safeguards for accused persons in trials in those courts, having particular regard to matters such as the gravity of the allegations and the lapse of time since the alleged crimes:
An Act to provide for the Trial and Punishment of War Criminals#
Part III—War crimes
19 Legal assistance
(1) A person who has been, or is about to be, charged with an offence against this Act may apply to the Attorney-General for assistance under this section.
(2) If the Attorney-General is satisfied that in all the circumstances it is appropriate and reasonable to grant an application made under this section, he or she may authorise the provision by the Commonwealth to the applicant of such legal or financial assistance in connection with a proceeding for the offence as the Attorney-General determines.
(3) An authorisation under subsection (2) may be made subject to such
conditions (if any) as the Attorney-General determines.
(4) In considering an application made under this section, the Attorney-General shall have regard to any hardship to the applicant that refusal of the application would involve.
(5) As soon as practicable after deciding to refuse an application made under this section, the Attorney-General shall give the applicant a written notice that:
(a) sets out the decision and the reasons for it; and
(b) requests the applicant to consent in writing to a copy of the notice being laid before each House of the Parliament in accordance with subsection (6).
(6) Where an applicant gives a consent in writing pursuant to a request under subsection (5), the Attorney-General shall cause a copy of the notice to which the consent relates to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Attorney-General receives the consent.
An Act to provide for the Trial and Punishment of War Criminals#
Part III—War crimes
19 Legal assistance
(1) A person who has been, or is about to be, charged with an offence against this Act may apply to the Attorney-General for assistance under this section.
(2) If the Attorney-General is satisfied that in all the circumstances it is appropriate and reasonable to grant an application made under this section, he or she may authorise the provision by the Commonwealth to the applicant of such legal or financial assistance in connection with a proceeding for the offence as the Attorney-General determines.
(3) An authorisation under subsection (2) may be made subject to such
conditions (if any) as the Attorney-General determines.
(4) In considering an application made under this section, the Attorney-General shall have regard to any hardship to the applicant that refusal of the application would involve.
(5) As soon as practicable after deciding to refuse an application made under this section, the Attorney-General shall give the applicant a written notice that:
(a) sets out the decision and the reasons for it; and
(b) requests the applicant to consent in writing to a copy of the notice being laid before each House of the Parliament in accordance with subsection (6).
(6) Where an applicant gives a consent in writing pursuant to a request under subsection (5), the Attorney-General shall cause a copy of the notice to which the consent relates to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Attorney-General receives the consent.
An Act to amend the War Crimes Act 1945
3. The Preamble to the Principal Act is repealed and the following Preamble
is substituted:
(c) it is also essential in the interests of justice that persons so accused be given a fair trial with all the safeguards for accused persons in trials in those courts, having particular regard to matters such as the
gravity of the allegations and the lapse of time since the alleged crimes:".
An Act to amend the War Crimes Act 1945
5. Sections 3 to 14, inclusive, of the Principal Act are repealed and the following section and Parts are substituted:
Legal assistance
"19. (1) A person who has been, or is about to be, charged with an offence
against this Act may apply to the Attorney-General for assistance under this
section.
"(2) If the Attorney-General is satisfied that in all the circumstances it
is appropriate and reasonable to grant an application made under this section,
he or she may authorise the provision by the Commonwealth to the applicant of
such legal or financial assistance in connection with a proceeding for the
offence as the Attorney-General determines.
"(3) An authorisation under subsection (2) may be made subject to such conditions (if any) as the Attorney-General determines.
"(4) In considering an application made under this section, the Attorney-General shall have regard to any hardship to the applicant that refusal of the application would involve.
"(5) As soon as practicable after deciding to refuse an application made under this section, the Attorney-General shall give the applicant a written notice that:
(a) sets out the decision and the reasons for it; and
(b) requests the applicant to consent in writing to a copy of the notice being laid before each House of the Parliament in accordance with subsection (6).
"(6) Where an applicant gives a consent in writing pursuant to a request under subsection (5), the Attorney-General shall cause a copy of the notice to which the consent relates to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Attorney-General receives the
consent.
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.