13 April 2011 - Guinea-Bissau authorities today started a two-day debate aimed to discuss the draft of a Programme on Witness Protection and Special Persons as part of the country's efforts to tackle criminality.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the General Prosecutor Amine Saad denounced situations that witnesses as well as victims refuse to collaborate with justice for fearing threats. "This is particularly true with respect to violent crimes, organized crimes, murders and drug trafficking", he stated.

UNIOGBIS Chief of Security Sector Refrom Section, Antero Lopes, praised the authorities for iniciative he considered important for the judiciary system within the current justice reforms. "Guinea-Bissau challenges in the areas of justice, security and defense are also the international community challenges, namely the United Nations and are part of our programmes for peace consolidation", Antero Lopes stated.

The workshop is organized by the office of Guinea-Bissau General Prosecutor, with the support of UNIOGBIS and the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and aims to assist the government in the fight against organised crime, political violence, drug trafficking and terrorism by strengthening the capacities and improving the legal framework.