SPECIFIC GROUP OF VICTIMS – UNITED NATIONS

‘Victims have long played a secondary, and mostly silent, role in criminal trials. UNODC recognizes the importance of representing victims’ interests in criminal proceedings and the relevance of developing comprehensive programmes that effectively provide adequate treatment to victims of acts of terrorism. Effective criminal prosecution of alleged perpetrators is a crucial factor in reducing the perception of victimization and of impunity for terrorist acts. Granting victims equal and effective access to justice is also essential. In order to further integrate the perspective of victims into UNODC’s capacity-building activities addressing the criminal justice aspects of countering terrorism, the role of victims and their surviving family members in criminal proceedings needs to be emphasized’. [Source: Handbook on the Criminal Justice Response to Support Victims of Acts of Terrorism].

Relevant topics: Victims’ right to remedies and reparation; Ensuring that domestic legislations provides the same level of protection as international standards; Enforcement of reparation judgments against liable entities; Information of the public and of victims of the violations and the remedies available; Victims entitled to seek causes of their victimization; Reparation for the harm suffered consisting in: a) restitution; b)  compensation;  c) rehabilitation; d) satisfaction; e) guarantee of non-repetition.

International community is called to ensure restitution, compensation and rehabilitation to victims of grave violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Protocol deals with trafficking where pursued transnationally, as part of organized crime. It sets the fundamental international framework, where the ‘4Ps’ stand for Prosecution, Prevention, Protection and Partnerships. Indeed, it was intended “(a) to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, […] (b) to protect and assist the victims of such trafficking, with full respect of their human rights and (c) to promote cooperation among States Parties” (see Article 2).