ABSTRACT
This chapter critically examines the concept of witness protection. Its objective is to identify the organizing principles for delineating the scope of witness protection. It includes a conceptual clarification for the concept of witness protection, victim protection, informant protection, and whistle-blower’s protection. It emphasizes that the failure to clearly distinguish between these inter-related concepts affects how the concept of witness protection is construed. The chapter emphasizes the relevance of the concept of witness intimidation within the concept of witness protection. It includes the different justifications for witness protection within national criminal justice systems. The chapter contrives the criminal justice perspectives and the human rights perspectives as heuristic tools from which discussions of witness protection can ensue.
