Commission moves to boost victim protection

Parliament's political groups have welcomed commission plans to boost protection for EU crime victims, but some say specific legislation on gender violence and organised crime is still needed.

The commission says the proposed laws would ensure a minimum level of rights, support and protection for victims across the EU, regardless of their country of origin.

European commission vice-president for justice Viviane Reding, who presented the proposals in Brussels on Wednesday, described the current citizen protection laws across the EU as "patchy" and not always meeting "basic needs".

Reding said, "While our criminal justice systems focus on catching criminals, they sometimes end up neglecting the victims themselves.

"Victims of crime need respect, support, protection and to see that justice is served. This is why I am putting victims at the heart of criminal justice in the EU by making sure they can rely on minimum rights and support anywhere in Europe."

However, Britta Thomsen, the S&D spokeswoman on women's issues said, "Taking care of victims of all kinds of violence is a good step, but in order to avoid gender-based crimes and to prosecute the perpetrators we need a comprehensive EU strategy.

"There are very specific ways to prevent and combat sex violence," she added, calling for "more information and awareness at all levels."

Fellow Socialist and shadow rapporteur on the European protection order (EPO) Carmen Romero Lopez, welcomed the plans as the "first step", adding, "We will keep pushing for a comprehensive EU legislation."

The EPO aims to ensure that any protection provided by the law to a victim in one member state continues if he or she moves to another EU country.

However, MEPs want the initiative to include all victims of violence, ensuring legal protection across borders and guaranteeing assistance to victims and family members.

S&D spokesman for civil liberties, justice and home affairs Claude Moraes said, "We are convinced that the victims' rights package is a major and positive piece of work and could help to ensure that clear inconsistencies in the treatment of victims are tackled."

ALDE spokeswoman on women's rights and gender equality Izaskun Bilbao Barandica also welcomed the package, but argued that victims of organised crime and terror need protection too.

"Under the Stockholm agenda we introduced an amendment, which was approved, to include this issue among the priorities of the institutions. Our work now should focus on making that goal a reality," she said.

Parliament's rapporteur on organised crime in the EU, ALDE deputy Sonia Alfano, agreed, saying, "It is extremely important the proposals address the specific needs of victims of organised crime and of terrorism. We have written to the commission but have yet to receive a satisfactory answer."

Elsewhere, the EPP group described the legislative package as a "vital tool" for the protection of victims of crime and hopes it will convince member states to go ahead with the European protection order.

Committee rapporteur on the EPO Teresa Jimenez-Becerril said, "Like everyone else, victims share the same basic needs: to be recognised and treated with respect and dignity, to receive protection and support and to have access to justice.

"The victims package will meet these needs for all types of victims across Europe, including victims of organised crime and terrorism and will pay special attention to vulnerable victims such as children and the disabled," she said.

EPP vice-president Manfred Weber and Simon Busuttil, the group's justice and home affairs coordinator, said, "In many cases, criminal justice systems are geared towards catching and prosecuting the offender. The victim is often forgotten. This is finally about to change."