Prosecutors perform an active role in criminal proceedings,{{1}} including the institution of prosecution and, in some instances, in the investigation of crime, supervision over the legality of such investigations, supervision of the execution of court decisions and the exercise of other functions as representatives of the public interest.{{2}}
International standards set out guidelines and safeguards for the impartiality, functional independence, and accountability of prosecutors; they are described in greater detail in the sections that follow.{{3}}
[[1]]1. Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, Adopted by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, [expand title=”Article F(g).”]
Prosecutors shall perform an active role in criminal proceedings, including institution of prosecution and, where authorized by law or consistent with local practice, in the investigation of crime, supervision over the legality of these investigations, supervision of the execution of decisions of judicial bodies and the exercise of other functions as representatives of the public interest.
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[[2]]2. UN Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors, [expand title=”Guideline 11.”]
Prosecutors shall perform an active role in criminal proceedings, including institution of prosecution and, where authorized by law or consistent with local practice, in the investigation of crime, supervision over the legality of these investigations, supervision of the execution of court decisions and the exercise of other functions as representatives of the public interest.
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[[3]]3. See for example UN Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors (welcomed by General Assembly resolution 45/166, 1990). See also International Commission of Jurists,International principles on the independence and accountability of judges, lawyers and prosecutors – Practitioners’ guide, no. 1 (2007), pp. 71-77.[[3]]
