Witness protection in the Netherlands

Abstract

The witness deposition is one of the most important means of evidence.Therefor a witnessaccording to the Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure has the obligation to give his depositionbefore the investigating judge in the pre-trail investigation phase or to the court during thepublic court session. A refusal to appear before the investigating judge or the court after beingsummoned constitutes a crime. A refusal to give evidence may lead to an arrest and adeprivation of liberty until the witness statement has been given (sects 221 and 289CCP).Witnesses are heard under oath that they will tell the truth and nothing but the truth.