A Comparative Study of Formal Measures to Protect Witnesses Against Threats (Case Study of Article 214 of the Criminal Procedure Law and its Executive Regulations)

Protecting witnesses against threats is a manifestation of adherence to the principles of fair proceedings and guaranteeing the rights of both parties in a criminal case, however, the practice of different countries in this field is different, the law of criminal procedure while developing several legal articles and also establishing executive regulations for the article 214 C.P.A. has taken a big step towards the implementation of this task. Although the protection of all kinds of life, material and dignified values ​​of witnesses in Iranian law is considered a positive point, but the challenges and basic questions regarding the quality of protection of witnesses of special security crimes and economic corruptions, vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, the need to pay full attention to The financial dimensions and the allocation of legal and psychological assistance and the use of the capacities of restorative justice and civil society as well as the quality of the conflict of these protective measures with the rights of the accused can still be proposed and need to be answered. From the library sources, in the process of comparative study and presenting numerous comparative examples, an attempt has been made to answer and present suitable examples to the Iranian legislator. Considering the numerous suggestions of the article, it is evident that, along with the necessity of practical application of legal regulations and executive regulations, the Iranian legislator should take serious and firm steps in order to adopt special protective measures for vulnerable witnesses, provide wider financial support to witnesses and provide legal assistance and take psychological counseling.