"So, for successful prosecution administration, there is need for a long term structural solution to secure the safety of the witnesses and the right of victims to have legal claim for damages and compensation against the illegal wrong done to them," he observed.

The chief justice was speaking at the inaugural session of a day-long 'Discussion Meeting on Victim and Witness Protection under National Legal Regime: South Asian Perspective' in the capital.

Representatives from India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also took part in it to share their respective countries' experience of victims and witnesses.

The discussion was organised by Odhikar, a human rights body, with the assistance of the Academy for Educational Development (AED) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the Brac Centre Inn.

" In our criminal justice administration, we face various problems and difficulties. However, certain amendments have already been made and attempts are also being made for further amendments in certain areas," Justice Mudassir said.

"The guarantee of protection to the victim witness as well as other witnesses is not only for the ends of justice but also for peace and stability of the country," he added.

Speakers at the working sessions of the discussion meeting also stressed ensuring full protection to victims and witnesses by strengthening the country's legal system.

Proper legal definition of victims is needed for providing protection to them, the speakers said.

A set of recommendations made at the discussion was read out by former attorney general AF Hassan Ariff.

The recommendations emphasised proper compensation to the victims on completion of trial.

The victims and witnesses should be given all opportunities to participate in the process of investigation, and the media should be more responsible as well as careful to help ensure their security.

"The media should not do anything due to which victims and witnesses become further victimised," said Syed Fahim Munaim, managing editor of The Daily Star, who chaired the second working session.

The Daily Star always refrains from publishing the names, pictures and other details of the victims of rape or trafficking, he pointed out. And this should be the practice in the media, he thought.

Prof Asif Nazrul of law department at Dhaka University said the judiciary should be independent and very responsible for ensuring protection of victims and witnesses.

Subodh Pyakurel from Nepal and Rukshan Fernando from Sri Lanka dwelt on the situation in their countries as regards victims and witnesses.

Arafat Amin of Odhikar, Dr Saeed Ur Rahman from South Asia Forum for Human Rights, Pakistan and Prof Buddhadeb Chaudhuri from India presented three keynote papers.

USAID Mission Director Gene V George, Odhikar President Tasneem Siddiqui, Susan Ward from the AED and Justice Tariq Ul Hakim also spoke on the occasion.