What is the Victims and Witnesses Section (VWS)?
The Victims and Witnesses Section is an independent and impartial section of the Tribunal’s Registry which is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all witnesses, whether called by the prosecution, the defence, or the court itself. The VWS consists of three units: the Protection Unit coordinates responses to the security requirements, the Support Unit provides social and psychological counselling and assistance to witnesses, and the Operations Unit is responsible for logistical operations and witness administration. The VWS is also assisted by a Field Office in Sarajevo which provides victims and witnesses from the former Yugoslavia with easier access to the protection and support services of the VWS, both before and after they testify before the ICTY.
