Practitioners Guide No. 5

Trial Observation Manualfor Criminal Proceedings

A fair trial is essential, not only for protecting the

human rights of the accused and those of victims butalso to ensure proper administration of justice, whichis a key component of the rule of law.In this context trial observation can be a crucial toolin efforts to defend human rights and the primacy of the rule of law. The right to observe trials stems fromthe general right to promote and secure the protec-tion and realisation of human rights.

This Practitioners Guide provides the prospective trial

observer with practical advice on how to carry out atrial observation. It outlines the various criteria and

operational aspects that need to be borne in mind

when preparing for, and conducting, a trial observa-

tion. It also provides a systematic overview of the

international norms and standards relating to fair trial

and due process in criminal proceedings.International Commission of JuristsP.O. Box 9133 Rue des BainsCH-1211 Geneva 8Switzerland