ABSTRACT
Naturally, defendants assume a prominent role at international and hybrid criminal courts and tribunals (ICTs), and alongside the prosecutor, they are generally the main parties to the diverse array of proceedings which take place at these institutions. A key common ground underlying the situation of defendants and victims at ICTs, concerns the human rights of these different individuals, and how to realise and balance these rights. To begin with, international crimes committed by defendants against victims constitute serious violations of human rights. Ensuring the human rights of victims and balancing these rights against the rights of defendants at international criminal justice institutions has become increasingly necessary. An effective and balanced exercise of the rights of victims as witnesses, participants/civil parties and reparations claimants can provide an important quota of reparative or restorative justice to international criminal proceedings. Despite their limitations and deficits, ICTs have become important platforms where defendants and victims of international crimes exercise their rights in criminal proceedings.
