Over the past ten to fifteen years the question of witness protection has become a major concern for the justice systems of many countries in Europe. Terrorist and organised crime groups are increasingly attempting to corrupt the normal functioning of the criminal justice system by threats of violence or bribery of justice officials and the systematic intimidation or elimination of witnesses.
Another area where the testimony of witnesses is crucial for the conviction of offenders is that of violence within the family. The recommendation deals particularly with witnesses involved in these two types of crime, but naturally does not exclude any other area.