FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACTS: |
September 14, 2007 |
Steve Blando, Office of Public Affairs
(202) 307-9065 |
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Record Number of Countries Attend
Witness Protection Symposium |
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Lyon, France – INTERPOL
Headquarters was the host site of the Second Annual International
Witness Protection Symposium, hosted by the U.S. Marshals Service,
U.S. Department of Justice and Office of Overseas Prosecutorial
Development, Assistance and Training.
Attendance
more than doubled from last year’s Symposium, with 40 countries in
attendance for the three-day event, held from Sept. 5-7. INTERPOL
Secretary General Ronald K. Noble kicked off the proceedings,
welcoming attendees to Lyon and highlighting some of the challenges
of witness protection in a global arena. He cautioned that there was
no “one-size-fits-all” solution to protecting witnesses in any given
country or region, noting that all countries faced unique
challenges; from the nature of threats to witnesses, ability to
safeguard witnesses, as well as geographic limitations in relocating
witnesses and their families in country.
John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, was impressed
by the attendance – up from 17 countries last year. “This is
obviously a very important topic, and a historic event, as we gather
together across international boundaries,” said Clark. Speaking for
the Marshals Service, Clark added, “We are by no means the experts
here, we want to hear from all of you.”
Throughout the Symposium, one of the recurring facts from a number
of panelists was that no witness who has fully complied with the
guidelines of the U.S. Marshals Witness Security program has ever
come to harm from retribution for his or her testimony. Clark
emphasized to the attendees that the ability for witnesses to know
that they will be protected is at the heart of the program. “For a
government with a strong judicial system to be able to prosecute
cases, witnesses must be kept safe from harm,” said Clark.
An overview of witness security was presented by Sylvester E. Jones,
the Assistant Director for the Witness Security and Prisoner
Operations Division of the U.S. Marshals Service. Jones reiterated
the importance of the program - now more that ever - with growing
and emerging threats from highly organized terror groups and violent
gangs. With the stakes higher than ever before, there is an
“essential need to have persons willing to take the stand and point
the witness finger,” said Jones.
A number of panelists provided unique insight - from legislative
issues to “real world” experiences of U.S. Attorneys who have
utilized the testimony of protected witnesses in critical cases.
Several international panelists spoke also, highlighting situations
and challenges distinct to their homelands. Two countries took the
opportunity during the Symposium to agree to join a trans-national
relocation group for the exchange of witnesses.
While the dialogue will continue well after the Symposium, the
immediate direction was clear, coming from Director Clark, who urged
attendees to come together to move forward. “Form coalitions – go
back and put into place the strongest program you can put together,”
said Clark. |
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